Enid Lewis' Wartime Diaries, 1939-1948

Disgrifiad

Enid Lewis (nee Lloyd), of Carmarthen and later Neath, served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War Two. Her annual diaries - which were kept meticulously between 1939 and 1947 - paint a picture of a vibrant young woman fully enjoying life, the dances, parties and the frequent visits to the "pictures" to see the latest film. Closer examination of Enid's daily entries portray a calm and understated manner and approach to daily life during the war including the frequent bombing of Swansea and seeking cover in pubs during air raids. Enlisting in the ATS, Enid becomes an aircraft plotter (though she doesn't talk about her role), and she speaks again about the air raids, the Buzz Bombs flying over her accommodation and hitching with her fellow ATS pals to London for VE Day. Post-war, she describes in some detail her trips and social life in Germany with the British Control Commission. Throughout her diaries, her calm disposition shines through. Extracts from Enid's diaries are presented here, and it is hoped that the full diaries will be presented at a later date.