"This story was submitted to the People's War site by Elizabeth Perez of Stockport Libraries on behalf of Jack Williams and has been added to the site with his permission. He fully understands the site's terms and conditions.
It was the beginning of 1939. At that time, I was employed as a journeyman motor mechanic by the main Ford dealers in Nottingham. Having heard the news on the radio, I decided definitely in my opinion war was going to come. Having spoken to my father about the lack of experience he had, I decided to become a fully trained soldier. One night on the way home from work, I stopped the Austin 7 outside the drill hall in Nottingham, and I joined 2nd AA (Anti Aircraft) Division Workshops RAOC (Royal Army Ordnance Corp.) for which I received the large amount of 1 shillings. We had training nights once a week and most of Sunday. I went to a camp in York where I took my final trade test for the army. I became a glorified motor mechanic called a driver mechanic.
One night, 23rd August, I'd been to a dance, at the palais in Nottingham, with my then girlfriend, Joan Larkin. Returned home at midnight and went to bed thinking I had to be up for work in Nottingham five miles away at 8 o'clock in the morning. I was wakened by my father at 2am, he said "There's a telegraph boy for you at the door. I'd been down and opened the door and he said he doesn't want to see me, he wants to see you." So I put my dressing gown on, went down the stairs and I was asked, "Are you Private Williams?" "Yes". "Right – mobilisation papers for you". It gave the unit and the date, and said report at once in full uniform. Had to go to Nottingham only five miles away. So Father got the car out, I put my 1917 service dress uniform and cap on and puttees and army boots. Off we went to drill hall…."
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