Joan was only 15 and living in Leeds when war broke out. Having settled down to Secretarial work it was in 1943 that she and a friend wanted to do their bit and volunteered to join the ATS. Reporting to Pontefract Barracks on 30 April, was an eye opener but we survived and completed our training. The experience I had gained in my civilian job helped me pass out quickly with the trade of shorthand typist.

I was posted to Auxiliary Units GHQ, and arrived on 22 May 1943. I worked in the orderly Room which was located on the first floor of the Stable Block above the old carriage house. Two sergeants worked nearby, one in the office at the end of the corridor and the other in the Orderly room. I worked for the Camp Commandant, Captain Benson who had an office nearby. Although we had electricity the office was very cold and I use to type wearing woollen mitts. I never actually saw any horses but I certainly smelled them. At midday we stopped for lunch which we took in a hut in the stable yard. We ate with any off duty men; I remember RASC drivers but do not recall any from the Royal Signals. Sometimes during the break we girls would stroll in the woods and pick primroses. I cannot recall seeing any huts in the woods.

 In 2015 Joan returned to Coleshill, 72 years after she had started.

I do not recall any male Officers living there. Major Temple (niece of the Archbishop of Canterbury) was the Senior Commander in charge of us.

There may have been ATS elsewhere but at Hannington there were 4 Officers, 1 driver, 1 sergeant, 3 corporals, and 11 privates that includes the cook and orderlies who worked solely where we were billeted at Hannington Hall.