Joan, a widow who was 11 when war broke out, describes her experience as an evacuee during the war. She remembers the day that war was announced, and seeing all the mothers in the town crying, although she didn't understand why at the time. Joan was evacuated from her home in Gillingham with 3 of her sisters. This was a painful separation, especially since they were not treated well by their two carers in their new home in Chartham. Joan later fell ill with scarlet fever and was put in an isolation hospital for 6 weeks, after which the sisters were taken home to their parents.  Joan recalls her experience being much improved after the family was reunited. She talks of the ‘happy days’ of ‘Digging for Victory’ and sourcing items for the local barracks. Although food was rationed, Joan remembers her mother reserving her meat ration so the family could have a Sunday roast. She also recalls using condensed milk instead of jam to make a tasty sandwich, and the jubilation on the days when boats of bananas and oranges managed to get through. She also speaks with fondness of the time spent in the Anderson air raid shelter in their garden, where they spent most of their nights. She relates happy memories of sing-alongs with their Irish neighbour who often joined them, and recalls often staying up all night talking and laughing- ‘I can’t say they were sad days… we were a community really.’ Although she doesn’t recall being scared of the bombing, the memory of Gillingham bus depot being bombed and setting the sky alight has stuck with her. Joan talks about the pub her father took over in 1942, where she worked as a barmaid. She recalls the celebrations of VE Day, when people sang and danced all night. It was shortly after this that her future husband walked into the pub after being demobbed from the Navy. They married and moved to Scotland, but he re-joined the Navy after 9 years, and she fondly recalls her years as a Navy wife.  Joan’s story reminds us of the often painful experience of evacuation, as well as the spirit of community inspired by the Blitz.

Gill Lewis shares her fascinating journey, serving many roles in the FANY towards the end of World War II. Being a car enthusiast, Gill first joined the FANY after receiving her driving license and assisted in many of their transport operations. Marrying at a young age, her circumstances would send her away from the FANY to Cairo. However, an invasion by the Germans was coming and she was offered the chance to go to South Africa, leaving her husband behind. Coming from a family with a naval background, Gill was no stranger to moving around a lot. In South Africa, she continued to volunteer as a driver for transport assignments. She recalls how during the war, petrol needed to be rationed, meaning you couldn't travel too much. However, this did not hinder the fun she had on these expeditions. Eventually, she returned to England where she reapplied to the FANY. This time, she went to Chicheley Hall where she was given a choice between coding or wireless telegraphy - she chose the former. During the course, she discovered she had a flair for coding which brought the attention of Leo Marks who summoned her for one-to-one tuition. Later on, in a crafty move, Marks sent her to the far east for active service, believing she was in need of a challenge. It was here that her coding skills were put to the test. Her job was to decipher cluttered messages from those who found themselves in desperate situations. She remembers the importance of discriminating and fixing any mistakes the messengers might have made and to avoid relying on assumptions. Her skillset would earn her the nickname 'Mark's wonder girl'. Gill loved coding but when asked later in life why she didn't join the foreign office for the same job during peacetime, she explains how it lacked the same level of urgency and resourcefulness which made it satisfying. Gill's story is a salient example of the rewarding experience achieved by people who are willing to challenge themselves.