Daughters of Courage

by Margaret Dickinson

  They went on to discuss how many patients Riversdale could take and the number of nurses required to care for that volume around the clock and when Constance left the matron’s office, she knew exactly what she needed to do. But first, she must tell her family and then all her staff at Riversdale.

  ‘It’s a marvellous idea, Mother,’ Trip said when Constance told him her plan. ‘Have you asked Lucy yet?’

  Constance shook her head. ‘I’m going to call round to see if she’s at home when I leave here.’

  ‘Nell will be there,’ Emily said. ‘But you must eat with us first.’

  ‘That would be lovely. I’ve been so busy today that I missed lunch.’

  As they sat over the meal, Constance was delighted to hear of their plans. ‘It’s a marvellous idea, but you will find that if the war goes on for some time, women will be drafted into service too, though I think working in munitions and probably what you’re planning too, Emily, will be regarded as valuable war work. My only advice is that you should keep in close communication with the authorities. Make sure you follow the regulations to the letter.’

  Emily and Trip both nodded and, as they rose at the end of the meal, Trip added, ‘I’ll come to Nell’s with you, Mother, and then see you home. I don’t want you walking the streets after dark, especially now that there are no street lights.’

  Nell was surprised when she opened the door. ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked at once.

  ‘Nothing, Nell. Don’t worry,’ Constance said hurriedly. ‘Is Lucy at home? It’s her we’ve come to see.’

  ‘Lucy? Why, yes, she is. She’s on day shift at the moment, so she’s home in the evenings.’ Nell was still mystified, but she invited them in and offered them tea.

  ‘Not for me, thank you, Nell. I’ve just eaten with Thomas and Emily.’

  ‘Then I’ll call Lucy down. She’s just changing. She hasn’t been home long.’

  A few minutes later Lucy entered the room, her expression as puzzled as her mother’s.

  Constance – as was her way – came straight to the point and explained the reason for their visit. After her first initial surprise, Lucy said, ‘It sounds a wonderful idea. I’d be delighted if – if you think I could do it.’

  Constance turned to Nell. ‘How would you feel, Nell, because she would have to live in at Riversdale? It would mean her leaving home.’

  Nell smiled. ‘I’d miss her, of course I would, but to be honest, I’d be very relieved that she’d be away from the city. If anywhere’s going to be a target for bombing, then it’s Sheffield with all its industries.’

  ‘Sadly, I think you’re right.’

  Nell bit her lip and, for a moment, looked uncharacteristically uncertain.

  ‘What is it, Nell?’ Constance asked gently.

  The words came out in a rush. ‘It’s Simon. Steve said I should have let him go with the others being evacuated, but I didn’t want him to go to strangers . . .’

  ‘You wondered if he could come to Ashford?’

  ‘He’d be with friends.’

  ‘I’ll see what I can do. Martha and Grace have taken on the job of billeting the children in the district, so I’ll speak to them.’

  ‘So,’ Constance began as all the people who worked at the hotel sat in the residents’ lounge and looked expectantly towards her as she stood in the window. George sat nearby. ‘I expect you’re all wondering why I’ve called you together. It’s to explain what is going to be happening to the hotel during the war.’

  Several of them glanced at each other, their faces sober; they were expecting the worst.

  ‘We’re turning the hotel into a convalescent home for wounded soldiers who are in the final stages of their recuperation. There won’t be surgical cases or any with serious medical problems, but we shall still need a nursing staff. All of you –’ she paused, relishing the good news she was about to deliver – ‘will be kept on, though the actual work you do might be a little different from what you do now.’ There was a unanimous look of relief on all their faces and a few murmurs of thankfulness. Jobs had been difficult enough to find in the countryside over the last few years and now that the nation was being plunged into war, the future was even more uncertain.

  ‘Of course some of you – especially the younger ones – may be called up or obliged to do war work, but I might be able to apply for a dispensation for you. It might be regarded as a kind of war work you’re doing here. But I can’t be sure yet. Anyway –’ she placed her hands together almost as if pleading with them to agree – ‘are you all happy to stay?’

  The swift chorus of ‘yes, of course’ left Constance in no doubt.

  As they began to disperse, Constance said, ‘Martha – Grace, can you stay a few moments, please.’ As the others returned to their various duties, she said, ‘How is the billeting of children going?’

  Martha and Grace exchanged a glance. ‘Very well, Mrs Bayes. Everyone’s been very willing to help out and some of the farmers are delighted because they’ve been able to have one or two strong young lads who can lend a hand.’

  ‘I’ve had a request from Nell Henderson, who works for Emily, that her young son Simon should come to Ashford. Can we do anything on a more personal level? His older sister will be coming here to Riversdale. She’s a trained nurse. But I didn’t want to take up valuable space here that could be used for patients. She will live in, as might one or two nurses, as we’ll have to cover twenty-four-hour nursing care. I’m intending to convert the old stables at the back of the house into accommodation for staff. That way, I think we should be able to take about ten patients.’

  ‘Simon can come to us,’ Martha said swiftly. ‘Lewis is already with us and though he’s a good bit older, he’s a kindly boy. Him and Philip – being the same age – are great pals now. They’ll keep an eye on young Simon.’

  Constance beamed. ‘I was hoping one of you would agree to take him. Nell doesn’t want him to go to strangers, but if he’s with you, Martha, that will be perfect. And he can see his sister whenever he wants to.’

  ‘I could take a couple of the nurses, if you need billets in the village,’ Grace offered. ‘They’d have to look after themselves when I’m working here, but we’ve the room.’

  ‘That’d be ideal, Grace. Are you sure your husband won’t mind?’

  Grace chuckled. ‘What? Mind having a couple of pretty lasses living with us? I very much doubt it, else I don’t know my Dan as well as I thought I did.’

  The three women laughed together. ‘Then I’ll see Nell and bring Simon to you as soon as I can, Martha.’

  It didn’t take long for Trippets’ to be turned into a small-arms factory making bullet casings. Lathes, drilling machines and other machinery required was soon installed and the training of existing workers and the employment and training of women to work the machinery followed. Trippets’ was one of the first factories in the city to turn their premises into the manufacture of munitions. There had been such factories in Sheffield during the Great War, so it didn’t take long for other firms to follow Trip’s lead.

  ‘We’ve lost so many of the young men to the forces,’ Trip said. ‘We’re only left with old men and women now.’

  Steve grinned. ‘You speak for yourself. I don’t consider myself old. I’ve had to register, but I’m hoping I won’t get called up, ’specially if I’m on your payroll. Trip, can I work for you now? You can use my workshop for whatever you like for the duration.’

  ‘Do you mean it? That’d be great. We’re already short of space.’

  ‘Do you think you’ll get called up?’

  Trip shook his head. ‘No. I think it’ll be a while before they get to the forty-year-olds and besides, I think I am now in a reserved occupation.’

  ‘What about Richard? He’s younger than you and not married, either.’

  ‘He’s applied for exemption on the same grounds, but it also seems he might not be fit enough. A recent medical revealed he’s got a slight problem with his hear
t. Nothing serious, but enough to keep him out of the forces. And as regards his marital status . . .’ Trip grinned. ‘He has a string of girlfriends, so I hear, but no wedding bells yet.’

  ‘What about you? Your fitness, I mean?’

  ‘Me? I’m fit as a flea. I passed A1, but, like I say, I think I’ll be more valuable running this place, don’t you?’

  ‘Absolutely. Now, what do you want to do with my workshop?’

  ‘Let’s go and take a look at it. D’you know, it’s at times like these I miss George still working for us. With his experience and memory of what’s gone on in the past, he’d be able to advise us in a flash.’

  ‘You could still ask him. He is your stepfather now, after all.’

  Constance called at Nell’s house the following Saturday morning to pick up Simon and take him to Ashford. He had fair hair and blue eyes like his father and a cheeky grin, but this morning the boy was white-faced and solemn. Nell’s mother, Dora, had struggled to the door to see him off, tears streaming down her face. Constance felt impatient with the woman. It was bad enough for the eight-year-old – and for Nell – without Dora crying over everyone. Briskly, Constance took hold of his suitcase and held out her hand. Smiling down at him, she said, ‘At least you don’t have to have a luggage label tied to your jacket like the children who went on the train did. Come along, Simon. I’ve got a real treat in store for you when we get there. Mrs Ryan is making ice cream especially for you and Lewis. And you know Lewis, don’t you?’

  The boy nodded. After succumbing to another tearful hug from his grandmother and a brisk no-nonsense ruffle of his hair from his mother, Simon followed Constance out to her car. When he saw it, his face brightened considerably. ‘Are we going in that?’

  ‘We most certainly are.’

  ‘Wow!’ the boy said and he clambered aboard, his mother and grandmother, standing in the doorway to wave him off, completely forgotten.

  With a wink at Nell and a cheerful wave, Constance climbed in behind the wheel.

  As they drove up the hill out of the city and into the countryside the boy bounced up and down on the seat beside her. ‘Look look, Mrs Bayes, real cows. Will I be able to watch them being milked, d’you think?’

  Constance laughed at his innocent excitement and promised herself that whenever she visited Ashford, she would make time to take the children out into the hills and fields.

  Forty-Six

  ‘Here we are,’ Constance said, ushering the boy into Martha Ryan’s home. It was still known as The Candle House.

  ‘Hello, Simon, come in. Lewis, take Simon upstairs and show him where he’ll be sleeping. You’ll have to share,’ Martha added, turning back to the new arrival, ‘but you won’t mind that, will you?’

  Lewis grinned at the younger boy. ‘Come on, I’ll show you round and then we’ll go out.’

  ‘Now, just be careful,’ Martha warned. ‘He’s a city lad, not used to country ways.’

  Lewis laughed. ‘He soon will be once he’s been here a while.’

  ‘How long am I staying here?’

  The two women heard Simon’s piping voice as the two boys climbed the stairs. ‘Till the war’s over, I should think,’ was Lewis’s reply and Constance and Martha glanced at each other. ‘I’ll make us some tea. Sit down, do, Constance. How are things in the city?’

  Constance seated herself and drew off her gloves. ‘We’re waiting in trepidation.’

  ‘Eh?’ Startled, Martha stared at her.

  Constance smiled thinly. ‘For the bombing to start. It’s bound to come. We’re such a well-known city for industry and many of the factories are turning to manufacturing products for the war. Even Thomas.’

  ‘What about Emily and her businesses?’

  Constance hid her smile. Martha and her ambitions! ‘If she gets approval from the authorities, she’s planning to make cutlery for the War Office. She’ll employ the little mesters and then use her own buffers. It’s an awful thing to say, but the war often makes businessmen.’

  Martha said nothing. After a pause, Constance asked, ‘How’s Walter?’

  ‘Surprisingly, he’s doing very well. Him and Bob potter about in the garden up at Riversdale and do odd jobs and they’ll be on hand to chat to the patients a lot when they start arriving. They won’t charge for that, mind,’ she added swiftly.

  Constance laughed. ‘I wouldn’t really mind if they did. It’ll be good for them – both sides, I shouldn’t wonder.’

  ‘You’re a very generous woman, Constance,’ Martha murmured pensively, silently wishing that she had been blessed with a more charitable nature.

  ‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ Constance said modestly and hastily changed the subject. ‘I’m glad to hear that this war hasn’t upset Walter.’

  ‘It did at first, especially when Harry went, but I think being able to go up there –’ she nodded her head towards Riversdale – ‘is a huge help. He’ll still feel he’s “doing his bit”.’

  ‘I think we all are.’

  ‘I don’t feel as if I’m doing much.’

  ‘You’re giving a home to evacuees and still cooking at Riversdale and so is Grace and I’m running about like a scalded cat, though that might soon be curtailed as petrol gets harder to get.’

  ‘How’s George?’

  Martha couldn’t help noticing how Constance’s eyes lit up at the mere mention of his name. How good it was that this lovely woman had found happiness in her life, albeit a little late in life.

  ‘He’s fine. Trip has asked him to be in charge of organizing the changeover to munitions production. So he’s back working at the factory again. He’s in his element. It’s amazing how this war is not only bringing out the best in most folks, but is also making everyone pull together too.’

  ‘You’re right, Constance, but I just wish it wasn’t taking all our fine young men away from us.’

  Constance nodded and though she said nothing, she knew both their minds were thinking of Harry.

  Harry was loving every aspect of his life in the RAF. Over the first few weeks and months after the declaration of war, his letters kept them informed of his progress. In every line his excitement was obvious:

  I don’t know how much of this letter will get through the Censor (if they’ve started with censorship yet, which, no doubt, they will very soon). I don’t think I should tell you where I am in a letter (we get lectures about what we can and can’t write). I’ve been kitted out and I’ve had my hair cut very, very short. I don’t think you’d recognize me at the moment, but the good thing about it is – it will grow again. There are lots of rules and regulations and the discipline takes a bit of getting used to. I’ve already had an hour’s punishment drill for what I’d consider a very minor offence! Beware of the sergeant, I’ve been warned. One good thing is that we’re allowed out of camp when we’ve done hours and hours of square bashing. And we all have to be able to swim, so thank goodness for those childhood romps in the river, though my technique evidently leaves a lot to be desired. The regime is pretty strict. Up early, beds made and kit laid out, breakfast and then on parade ground for seven a.m. followed by lectures, PT, route marches, cross-country runs. I’ve never been so fit – or so exhausted. I’ll probably be here for a month or so . . .

  I’m now at Initial Training School and likely to be here for about eight weeks. And then I’ll be going on to Elementary Flying School for about ten weeks . . .

  Best of all – which makes all that strenuous physical activity worthwhile – we’ve started to learn the rudiments of flying – just in the classroom at the moment. I can’t wait to climb into an aircraft. Doesn’t look like we’ll get leave while we’re here, but your letters are getting through, so please keep writing. Aunty Emily writes regularly, so I’m getting all the city news too . . .

  Bess, with no young children to care for now since the evacuation, felt lost.

  ‘I need to be busy, Emily,’ she confided. ‘I’m missing those little rascals more than yo
u can imagine.’

  ‘I know what you mean. The house is so quiet without Lewis. I still listen for him when I get home and then I realize he’s not there.’

  ‘I’ll still housekeep for you, Emily, if you want me to, because I reckon you’re going to be busier than ever. But I still need more to do. Lizzie’s out a lot and, with Billy gone, there’s only so much I can cook and bake.’ She pulled a wry face. ‘And that won’t get any easier with the rationing that’s bound to start sooner or later. I feel I want to do something, Emily, but I don’t know what. I think I’m a bit old for working in a factory now.’

  ‘Why don’t you join the WVS? They did a fantastic job with the evacuation of the children at the beginning of September and there’ll be so much more they’ll be able to do.’

  Bess’s face brightened. ‘Now, that is a good idea, Emily luv. I hadn’t thought of that. Thank you. I’ll make enquiries straight away.’

  Bess was not the only one who was restless; Lizzie was missing Billy more than she would have believed possible.

  ‘Jane,’ she said one night as they left work, ‘d’you fancy a night on the town?’

  ‘I don’t know. Me dad . . .’

  ‘Tell him you’re with me. I’m a married woman.’ She pulled a wry face. ‘I can’t get up to much mischief, now can I?’

  Jane giggled. ‘Oh, I don’t know.’ Lizzie laughed with her, but persisted. ‘So, what do you say?’

  The theatres and cinemas had closed briefly on the declaration of war, but when no serious bombing started, they had gradually reopened. It was soon realized that entertainment would be a great morale booster and also a way of getting news to the people and so, many had reopened.

  ‘And there’s dancing,’ Lizzie wheedled. ‘We could go dancing. Billy’s not much of a dancer and never wanted to go.’