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Enlisted in the WAAF in October 1941. Received basic training at Innsworth Camp, Gloucestershire and trained as a MT driver at Blackpool Lancs on both light and heavy transport vehicles. Posted to RAF Middle Wallop, Spitfire and Hurricanes Fighter Station Number Ten, where she saw active service thus releasing men to other war zones in the Middle East. She helped maintain communications between air and ground forces through the out stations located in a 50mile circle around the drome. Later transferred to Ambulance Section. Drove heavy and light ambulances; attended many crashes of Spitfires limping home damaged that would crash before reaching the drome. Used a crane to help rescue the wounded pilot.

After two years of these duties she was transferred to RAF Bomber Station, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, where she again drove ambulances and was successful helping with recovery of wounded on the relatively few aircraft which did not blow up, or burn out on landing.

In 1944 Irene was again transferred this time to London. She was responsible for special “red hot” mail and with an armed escort carried this to Air Ministry White Hall and various locations around London. This was the beginning of the buzz bombs, doodle bugs and Hitler’s last major action.

Honourably discharged at the end of the war, she returned to her parents’ home and found it badly damaged by enemy action. Irene was reunited with her husband in November of 1945 after nearly three years of separation whilst he was serving overseas. Irene was awarded two decorations.

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