In September 1939 I volunteered to the War Office, in Whitehall, and was put in Military Intelligence of Germany.
In August 1941 I was promoted to personal assistant to Colonel John Longmere, deputy director, Territorial Army. In a few months Colonel Longmere became Brigadier and deputy director, Home Guard and Territorial Army.
Throughout the war I travelled from my home in Beckenham to and from the War Office, not knowing whether my house would be there on my return.
On one occasion I went to my sister's evacuated house, in Eden Park Avenue, and found the front door blown open. I persuaded a carpenter to fix it.
There was a great spirit of helping each other then.
Olive Rippengal
Upper Elmers End Road
Beckenham
April 30, 2003 17:00
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