My life in Portsmouth during WW2

I was born in Portsmouth and have lived here ever since. I left school at 14 in July as the war started in September.I spent the next 4years doing various jobs until'calling-up' time at 18,doing various jobs,the last one being at a Wholesale/Retail tobacconist.Nearly everything was rationed,and our delivery of goods were quite sparse.We did our best to share the goods out fairly.My job was to make up the orders and go out twice a week delivering to shops and pubs in the city and nearby districts in a Morris8 van with very small petrol ration,driven by the bookeeper/driver.She and I had great fun.
During all this time we were being constantly bombed,and had to keep getting up in the night to go to the shelter. I can remember picking my way through the rubble to get to work.
The tobacconist took orders for cigarettes and tobacco to be sent through the Red Cross to prisoners of war in Germany,from their families.
Before I was 18,I 'volunteered'.If you did this before getting your 'calling-up' papers you could request which of the services you prefered.I chose the navy(because I liked the uniform).I failed the medical because I had a T.B.hip when I was a child.I then tried for a job in the Fire Service as a telephonist,but was not accepted because of failing the previous medical.
At 18 every woman(without children),like men,had to do war work,and i was sent to an aircraft factory(Airspeed) at the north of Portsmouth. I worked in the machine shop on a capstan lathe making small parts for Mosquito Fighter/Bombers and parts for Horsa gliders,Night work,12hours a night,6O hours a week.The gliders were for the D.Day landings.
I met my husband here and we worked here until the end of the war.
The nearest bomb I experienced was about 1O yards away.It demolished a shelter next to the one I was in,I dont think there were any survivors.
Looking back,I quite enjoyed my young life,in spite of the circumstsnces.We didn't have a lot of luxuries,but what we had we appreciated.We lived for today,and didn't worry about tomorrow.It might never come.

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