��ѿ��ý

Drivers and Firemen used to work what they called Double ��ѿ��ý duties, they slept away from home for one night, during the war years they often slept away for two nights. They worked all shifts starting anytime of the day or night. They could have the service of a “call boy” to knock on the door to wake them up, or rely on two alarm clocks they had to be on time. The drivers and firemen liked their work. I think life was hard for them during the war. I was a schoolgirl, I worried about my father when he was away on the night shift. The lights were dimmed and the bomber aircraft came over from Germany at night. It appears they did not know their destination was to until they arrived on duty. Bristol and London was heavily bombed during the war. My father was very sad the day he drove his first troop train from Swindon Station. He saw wives, mothers, children kissing and saying goodbye to sons, husbands, fathers and sweethearts. He knew in his heart, that not all would return home again. He also drove ambulance trains during the war, also passenger and goods. My father loved his job, he became a driver at 29 years old, he was never late for work and he only had two weeks sick leave during his railway career. My father also worked on the Holiday Express trains and Goods trains in the Great Western Railway area, and retired at 65 years old.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.