October 1st 1945
This morning we sadly left Brussels. Having put our kit on the lorry we set off
for the office further along Avenue Louise to load all the things to be moved
from there. At 9 am we started to drive
through the flat countryside of Belgium and then Holland. I was comfortably installed in an arm chair
in the back of the lorry with Jack and George.
As we crossed the border just past Venlo, into Germany, the
air felt fresher. The countryside is
more varied but badly war-scarred. We stopped
at Munster to refuel and Jack went to scrounge some tea for us. Munster is terribly badly damaged. I don’t think one house was unscathed.
By the time we reached the autobahn, it was dark and we
finally reached Herford at 8.30 where Pat was waiting to whisk me off to the
YWCA for supper before taking me to a temporary bed in her room.
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| ATS Billet in the old school |
October 2nd 1945
By 9.45 we were settled in our new office and started work
as there is a lot of back stuff to make up.
Finished and went back to the billet with Pat where we discovered that
we could have a room together so we set to, scrubbing the floor and planning how
we could alter things. We made sure that
the fire worked beautifully.
October 3rd 1945
This afternoon we went to the riding school for an hour which
was very good. After that we went to
cookery class at the YW and had fun. Ate the spoils afterwards before joining Staff and Jack at a dance.
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| Betty and Pat's room |
October 4th 1945
Our room is beginning to show signs of comfort. In fact, we’ve had a good mark for it already. We collected a table from George’s billet
which Pat has painted. I set to and made
little frills for the cupboards.
Once we were happy with the room we made tea for Margaret coming back
from work.
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| St Jakob's Church, Herford |
October 7th 1945
It was a glorious morning so we walked through the woods to
the tower on top of the hill. Had a
wonderful view from the top. Called in
at the beer garden on the way down.
After lunch we walked to Bad Salzuflen.
It is a lovely place. We had tea
there then walked back by way of the woods.
I felt tired after covering about 16 miles.
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| Betty, Staff, Pat and Jack in the beer garden |
October 14th 1945
Today we had an office trip so I wore slacks. We went to Hamelin via Minden, through lovely
countryside. When we reached Hamelin we
had a picnic lunch helped down with sweet cider. Jack, Pat and I went for a walk and went into
the cave which was only a dark hole.
Called in at Bückeburg for tea on our way back.
November 5th 1945
Caught the overnight train to Brussels from Bad Oeynhausen. We enjoyed going round the gaily decorated
shops. The toys are wonderful. We spent most of our money in odds and ends
and fruit. We returned to the hotel for
dinner then went to the ENSA cinema to see a Bette Davis film which was
excellent.
Over the next 3 days they visited their Belgian friend Winnie,
saw Arabian Nights in technicolor, had chocolate and cakes while listening to
the band at the Grand Place and dined in style.
November 17th 1945
We have a radio now so we can listen to the news which is
good as we haven’t received any mail for several days. Jack and I walked further round the town this
afternoon and found that it was very badly bombed in some parts. We went along the river and saw swans and
moorhens. It doesn’t seem possible that Jack is leaving. Couldn’t bear saying goodbye.
November 25th 1945
An early start for our office trip to Dechenhohle. We went through lovely countryside but didn’t
arrive till 2.30. We seemed to be right
on top of the world. The cave was very
interesting with stalactites and stalagmites.
Tea at the YMCA and home by 9.30
November 26th 1945
Set off from the office at 8.15 and Margaret and I managed
to bag a seat on the bus so we were quite comfortable. We reached Lippstadt at 10.15 and after tea
at the NAAFI we went to watch the Q in C’s inspection. It was very cold standing about and started
to rain during the march Past, but it was very impressive. Monty’s speech (Field Marshall Montgomery)
was nothing to write home about. On the
way it started to snow. Lovely to
receive a letter from Jack today.
During December Betty worked late most night and also on
Saturdays so she was glad to have home leave over Christmas. Previously she had flown back to the UK, but
this time it was train to Calais and a rough crossing.
January 1st 1946
Brought the year in on the train between Victoria and
Folkestone. Pat wrote, "Wot no drink," but
we had NAAFI tea! Arrived at Folkestone
at 2 am so straight to bed. Called at 7
but had to wait around till 11. Voyage
not so rough so we weren’t sick this time but we saw a mine. Arriving at Calais we discovered there was no
room on the train so we sat in the Rec Room frozen stiff.
After boarding an unheated train next day it took them till
midnight on Jan 3rd to arrive at Bad Oeynhausen.
January 4th 1946
Waited until 1am but no sign of the truck to take us to
Herford so we hitched back. Slept till
11 then soaked in a bath for ages. We
were furious to discover they had used our room and made a real mess of everything. Pleased to hear from Margaret that she and
her Jack are getting married in 2 weeks.
During January Betty and her friends continued to work long
hours and spent their free time playing badminton, going to play readings and
Scottish country dancing. In February she was sent on a demob course to prepare for civilian life.
February 12th 1946
Set out at 9.30 and it was freezing cold in the lorry. We stopped at Hanover which was very badly
bombed. Like Herford everywhere was
flooded from all the rain we’ve had.
After 150 miles and many detours we reached Göttingen for the course. Reported to the adjutant and found my billet.
February 13th 1946
After breakfast I decided to explore the town. Göttingen is
a very old fashioned place, lots of 15th century buildings like the Schwarz
bier Tavern, the Rathaus and Jakobi Church.
We walked along the city wall to Bismark’s cottage, a quaint old place
and then had coffee at the NAAFI. After
lunch we walked up the Hainberg hill through the wood to where it overlooks Göttingen. Today the sun was shining with a slight
covering of snow on the ground.
February 14th 1946
This morning we went to the university and were sorted into
groups according to our demob plans. I
went on the banking side and I’m the only girl among 30 men. The major who took us this morning was
terribly funny. Had tea with a Sergeant
when Geography was cancelled then returned for English Lit.
February 15th 1946
Still enjoying college life and finding the classes very
interesting. Arthur keeps a seat for me
as we get on well and I have also met a very nice Scottish Lieutenant called
Ron. After tea Arthur collected me and
we went to the Variety Theatre to see a German company. The acrobats were very good and the
contortionist excellent.
Saturday February 16th
Went into town to have my hair washed and set at a
hairdressers. After tea, I put on my
tartan skirt and went to the Toc H dance.
I was in a bit of a fix as I’d arranged to meet Ron and Arthur but I met
a few more lads first. In the end I
shook most of them off and stayed with Ron and Jock who were good fun. Ron walked me home.
Sunday February 17th
Went to the church service and then after lunch I met
Ron. We walked up to Bismark’s
house. It was snowing but we didn’t
mind. Had a lovely view from the top,
the air was good and I enjoyed every minute of it. Had tea at the Toc H then went to the
Sergeant’s Mess party. Danced with Ron
and had champagne.
Betty returned to
Herford and corresponded with Ron who was based in another part of Germany. They managed to meet up three times before
Betty was demobbed on May 20th.
Civilian life was not easy for any of the wartime service people and the
romance died out.
