During 1942 my Grandmother Jose Axtell (aged 21) became one 200,000 women to be conscripted into the Auxilary Training Services (ATS). The ATS was the women's branch of the British Army during the second world war. After the National Service Act of 1941, it became compulsory for unmarried women between the ages of 20 to 30 to join one of the auxilary services. This included Princess Elizabeth, our future Queen, who was trained to drive military vehicles during 1945.
Jose became a member of the ECTC or emergency catering training core. During 1942, she trained for three weeks in Honiton, Devon at the Catering Training Core facilities. After her initial training she moved to the Colchester Garrison where she cooked meals for the troups. Colchester was targetted on many occasions between 1942 and 1944.
In April 1944, Jose married Sidney Brackley of Coleshill. Their first child Gillian Mary (my mother) was born two days after VE day in May 1945. Their second child, Ernest John was born two and a half years later. However he died when he was nearly four in an unfortunate accident. Wendy Elizabeth was born during 1955 and became my mother's little sister.
This blog is based on her training notes during her six weeks in the E.C.T.C at Honiton. It includes the recipes that were cooked for the troups and notes that were important for her overall training.
Jose died in March 2007 and this is in tribute to her life, as she will always be missed my her family and friends.
Rachel Seymour
1 comment:
I would very much like to get in contact with you regarding your grandmother's time in the A.T.S. I'm a WW2 reenactor in America (http://www.northstaffordshirelha.org/ats_detachment). My unit is a mix of women who portray the different roles that women in the A.T.S. held. My interest is in portraying that of a cook. I happened upon your blog and have found it to be the most in depth account I have found online. I would love to get in touch with you. Thank you so much!
Post a Comment