The Vicarage
Lyminster
West Sussex
5th September 1939
Mrs G.M. Cook
Commandant
Mechanised Transport Training Corps
33, Leinster Gardens
London, W.2
Dear Mrs Cook:
I am writing to enquire about the possibility of transferring to your organisation from the Women's Legion, of which I have been a member since April, 1938. (I am attached to the Mechanical Transport Section, Sussex Division.) I completed successfully those parts of the training course that were offered in West Sussex last year, including signaling and elementary drill. I have been driving a car for just over three years and have yet to receive any sort of endorsement. It is true that I have driven mostly on country roads, but perhaps you will find this useful as I expect that most of your members are from town or the Home Counties and have driven mostly on the sorts of roads that one finds there. This has also given me some experience of reading maps. I do not know anything about motor-car maintenance and repair but am willing to learn. I have not done any first-aid training to speak of either, but I am an experienced home nurse if that helps at all.
I am also curious to know whether there are any plans to establish a division or chapter of the Mechanised Transport Training Corps in Sussex.
Yours sincerely,
Samantha Stewart
•••••
Tuesday 5 September 1939
Wrote and posted letter to M.T.T.C. this morning. Suspect Dad would say too many sentences begin w 'I'. Then again am subject of letter. Item about them in today's Times – they run errands of mercy, care for government cars, need 120 more drivers immediately. Quite bucked by this, but feel definitely best to keep quiet about it. Will have to make extra effort for next several days to meet postman before Dad or Mother.
Later – Women's Legion today – drove the Misses Hallett to dentist in Arundel & back. Spoke w Mrs Ramsay-Jones about Legion's prospects for war service. Very gloomy – she thinks it's unlikely WL will ever be 'deployed.' Have just now looked this up in dictionary. Guessed spelling correctly, very pleased. Means to move troops or equipment into position for military action. So must mean Mrs R-J thinks we won't help Forces or even Government, and that none of us will ever be sent anywhere.
Read full account of Athenia in Times – most passengers safe. Largely Canadians, some Americans. Submarine gave no warning at all. Times has as well new information about petrol rationing – amount of petrol allowed will depend on car's horse-power. Very good letter from Mr G.B. Shaw protesting closure of theatres.
Wednesday 6 September 1939
Air raid warning again this morning, just after 8.00. Dad, Mother & self to Anderson shelter – quite comfortable, although perhaps less so for long period of time. All clear sounded about 1 hr later. Was apparently false alarm. At any rate wireless reports Germans attempted air raid on east coast this morning but turned back before reaching shore, not clear as to why – might have been frightened off by our forces, but perhaps also due to bad weather. Mother quite perturbed by this news, but also seemed excited – very odd.
•••••
MECHANISED TRANSPORT TRAINING CORPS
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
33, Leinster Gardens
London, W.2
6 September 1939
Miss Samantha Stewart
The Vicarage
Lyminster
West Sussex
Dear Miss Stewart:
In response to your letter of yesterday, Mrs G.M. Cook, Corps Commandant, has directed me to forward to you the enclosed informational pamphlet and application for membership. If you are interested in this you may fill in the form and return it to my attention at the above address at your convenience.
In response to your question, at present there are no concrete plans to establish any companies outside of Greater London; however, this subject was discussed at some length at the most recent meeting of the Corps' Council and may be a project for the future.
I feel compelled to point out that, while all training is provided free of charge, we are strictly a voluntary organisation; our members receive no stipend or wage and must pay all travel, housing and living expenses out of pocket. (As you presumably are already in possession of the uniform of the Women's Legion you would not be required to purchase any new kit other than the Corps' insignia.) Amongst our goals is to achieve recognition, and ideally support, as an arm of His Majesty's Government, but until that occurs matters are likely to remain as they are now.
In addition, please note that any applicant who is not yet 21 years of age must obtain the written consent of her father or legal guardian, or in the absence of either of these from her closest adult relation.
If you remain interested we shall look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Pamela Bullock
Pamela Bullock (Mrs)
Corresponding Secretary
enclosures
Thursday 7 September 1939
Disaster! Dad met postman this morning – intercepted letter from M.T.T.C., gave to me with very suspicious look, I thought. In any case M.T.T.C. simply not possible – pays nothing, members must have family support or private incomes. Would indeed have to move to London as well – rather exciting idea really, but obviously not possible w/out D's approval.
Have just heard we must all go to Wick village hall tomorrow to receive ration-books for petrol and food, though no definite date yet to start using latter.
West Sussex Gazette says 1,300 evacuees received in district.
•••••
The Vicarage
Lyminster
West Sussex
7 September 1939
Dear Aunt Amy,
I was so very excited to read your letter! It seems very odd to think of a war as a gift, but I agree, it will be a blessing in disguise for many girls – perhaps including me, although I ought to tell you how things stand here at present.
On Tuesday I wrote to the M.T.T.C. They must be looking very hard for recruits, because they replied by return post!
There would be a problem with my joining the M.T.T.C., though. When they say it's a voluntary organisation part of what they mean is that it's completely private and freestanding. It doesn't have a patron of any sort and it's only supported by its own members. They are paid nothing at all and they have to pay all their own expenses (rental and board and so on). I don't think that Mother and Dad would co-operate with that, do you? (Especially as I'm not yet 21.) And then of course there is the fact that I would have to move to London. I really do wonder whether I ought to look into the A.T.S.
Please give my fondest regards to Uncle Michael. I can hardly wait for 1940 when I can start writing in my beautiful new diary, and am practicing by trying hard to keep a diary every day for the rest of this year.
Best love always,
Sam
P.S.: Do you think it will make any difference that I don't have a school certificate? Would it matter to the A.T.S.? After all It wasn't my choice to leave school the very moment that it was legal for me to do so. As well, unfortunately it was Dad who met the postman this morning, so he knows that someone in London sent me a letter with the address typed on the envelope. He gave me a very odd look as he handed it to me and I think that he suspects that something is going on.
Friday 8 September 1939
Littlehampton Gazette carries large notice about having one's gas mask with one at all times. Must be more careful about this – heard Mr Hobden was turned out of Chichester train yesterday for not having his. Paper announces as well that local children will go to school in the mornings & evacuees during the afternoon. Had been wondering about this. Also wondering how well it will go.
Later – To village hall w Dad to get ration-books for selves & Mother. Some there were grumbling about rationing, etc. Many complaints about evacuees – dirty, rude, etc. D said good opportunity to exercise Christian charity. Held breath waiting for someone to ask in that case why no evacuees at vicarage, but Mrs Burtenshaw spoke up & said she likes her evacuees – clever, jolly, make things more lively, etc. – then added 'Such a pity, Mr Stewart, that Mrs Stewart's nerves won't allow you to take any on'. Conversation quite gummed up! And certainly true, but a bit mortifying to have it aired in public in that manner. Feeling quite sorry for M. Wonder what war will make of her. Still want more than anything to leave Lyminster, but wonder whether this is proper time.
Saturday 9 September 1939
Wireless announces very good news – Home Secretary has seen error of ways and has allowed cinemas, etc., to reopen! In case of air raid audience will be given notice & programme stopped for five minutes for anyone who wants to go to shelter. All programmes to end by 10.00pm – seems only sensible in blackout. Telephoned Regal in Wick to ask about programme but no answer. For shops there after lunch, shall find out.
Later – Regal still closed until farther notice – manager joined up on Monday, so no-one to run it! Really too bad! As well, heard following story at butcher's: Mr Powell discovered two hens missing from coop this morning. Gone w/out trace. Meanwhile, Mrs Burtenshaw's evacuees presented her w two hens, told her they could get more if she wants! She summoned constable and Mrs Prendergast, quite furious, wants evacuees removed!
Sunday 10 September 1939
Went to Communion (only six people), came home, cooked breakfast for all, tidied up, by that time too late to go to Matins. Dad said church about half full, and two men from choir are gone – both joined up.
Article in Sunday Times about W.A.A.F. – pay for motor transport drivers starts at 1s. 4d. a day, rises to 2s. 4d. a day 'when mustered as aircraft women first class.' Not enough to live on, really – then again everything seems to be provided for them (meals, etc.) – quite unlike M.T.T.C!
Later – Several parents of evacuees visited here today. All smiles so far as I saw, but parents of Miss Mitchell's evacuees took children back to London with them.
Monday 11 September 1939
Times really quite filled with interesting items today! Information on how those who need extra petrol rations will be able to obtain them. Very long list of subjects now prohibited to be photographed. War Cabinet states will base policies on idea that war will last at least three years. (Not very cheering, of course – Dad quite gloomy after reading this.) Lots of good letters as well – from vicar in Wilts urging fairer petrol rations for people in country locations, several on evacuation. (D cheerier.) Esp. agreed w one urging that social service workers be sent to country from towns to help solve problems. Very good idea – could explain town and country to one another – suspect that really ought to be done. Best of all – article announcing several police departments have begun to retain women as special constables and also to drive police cars! Not anywhere south of Herts apparently, but perhaps idea will catch on here. Wonder what D&M would say were I to show article to them.
•••••
Braithfield
Fullerton Road
Red Rice, Andover, Hampshire
11th September 1939
My dear Sam,
Thank you very much for your letter of Thursday last. I have read it over a number of times and spent some time during the week-end considering your dilemma and discussing it with your Uncle Michael. (I do hope that you don't mind this, seeing that you addressed the letter only to me. Remember that he is an old soldier as well as a farmer, and has had lots of experience of solving hard problems!)
From what we have heard what is true of the W.A.A.F. is also true of the A.T.S., at least at present. It would be much easier for you to join the M.T.T.C. — which might then lead to the A.T.S., remember — but you are quite right that before that can happen we will have to address the question of your support. I don't think that that's impossible, and will be happy to take charge of the effort; it will give me something to do (now that it turns out we are to have no evacuees at present) and will keep me from spending too much time worrying about how your cousins Alex and Teddy will fare in this war!
The problem of your age will be knottier, as it will be nearly a year until you are able to move away from Lyminster without your father's permission. I suspect that this will require not only my persuasive powers, but also those of as many of your uncles as we can enlist. I wrote we in the previous sentence; but please let me begin the campaign, and I will let you know how things progress.
In the meantime, be sure to get in as much practise driving as you can. As you doubtless know by now they are going to start rationing petrol on the 16th, so you will not be able to go for a jaunt on the spur of the moment, but if your father needs to go anywhere in the car, or if your mother wants a change of scenery, offer to do the driving for them.
Uncle Michael joins me in sending his very best wishes; he has asked me to leave some space at the end of this so that he can add a few words of his own.
Your fond aunt,
Amy Braithwaite
Sam, dear girl,
I am delighted that you want to serve the Nation at this hour of need – and especially that my Laura seems to have inspired you! I always thought it was a great mistake to break up the women's auxiliaries after the last war. My best advice at this point is to keep up with the war news at all times, and to point it out to your parents when you learn of a girl of similar age and situation to yours going in for war work of any kind – both of them, as your aunt and I believe it will be essential to bring your mother around to our point of view! And do try to keep in good spirits.
Your doting old uncle,
Michael Braithwaite
Author's note:
Fourteen was the minimum age for leaving school in England and Wales from 1918 until 1945 (when it was raised to 15). Those who stayed until age 15 with an acceptable academic record were awarded a School Certificate (the equivalent, I suppose, of today's GCSEs). I have been unable to discover the minimum educational requirement for enlisting in the A.T.S., W.A.A.F., or W.R.N.S. (or the M.T.C., for that matter); but Sam states in "The German Woman" that she wanted to be in the W.A.A.F. but ended up in the M.T.C., and it seems plausible that a lack of formal education led to this.