One of my favorite BBC television shows is Foyle’s War, a series about a Hastings Detective
Chief Inspector who would rather be serving in WWII than investigating crimes
on the South Coast. His driver is Samantha Stewart, a transfer from the
Mechanized Transport Corp. (There are no records of an MTC individual serving a
police force.)
The MTC was a British women’s, civilian, uniformed organization
that provided drivers for the government and other organizations. Founded in
1939 by a Mrs. G.M. Cooke, it was initially a volunteer organization. The
Ministry of War Transport took it over in 1940, and its members were conscripted
and received pay. Reports indicate that the group was organized so that women
who could only work part-time because of family commitments could “do their bit”
for the war. By 1943, there were over 3,000 individuals serving in the MTC
within England and abroad.
The women were also expected to be able to keep the cars
functioning, so underwent a rigorous three weeks training course that included vehicle
maintenance, map reading, driving and breakdown procedures, convoy driving (don’t
you just follow the vehicle in front of you?), driver duties, vehicle
inspection, and security. They were also required to learn about the use of
stretchers and respirators because many of the women were used as ambulance
drivers.
After the war, most of these women went back to their
pre-war lives, never giving their MTC career another thought, never realizing
the importance of their work or the skills they brought home with them.
Have you had any unusual career or volunteer experiences?
A freelance writer for over ten years, Linda Shenton
Matchett writes historical fiction. Her novella Love’s Harvest is available on Amazon. She is currently seeking a
publisher for her series about WWII war correspondent Ruth Brown. Visit her at www.LindaShentonMatchett.com
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Wow, they did it all! Alas, I have nothing in my past to compare to that. I salute those gals.
ReplyDeleteIt does feel like they did it all, doesn't it?
DeleteI love "Foyle’s War".
ReplyDeleteI have had many interesting experiences as a nurse. Some most definitely under the heading of unusual.
I have a couple of nurse friends. I'm SURE you have unusual stories to share!
DeleteThe women gave so much. My volunteer work doesn't compare to theirs but I've been a Big Sister in the Big Brother/Big Sister program, Hospice Volunteer, crisis line volunteer. Some interesting experience as a volunteer I still volunteer for various agencies.
ReplyDeleteI disagree! Your volunteer work definitely compares. Working with teens, those in crisis and those who are dying is difficult (although rewarding) So glad to hear you do so much volunteering.
DeleteI watched every episode of Foyle's War. Excellent. I've been involved with Diaster Relief and mission work. Leaving for Guatemala in a week.
ReplyDeleteI own them all! Will pray you have a safe and successful journey/mission trip in Guatemala.
DeleteI wasn't familiar with these women and their work and I admire all that they contributed. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteConnie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com