240042 Pte. Lilian Joan Stafford Auxillary Territorial Service from:Kingstanding, Birmingham My grandmother Lily Stafford was in the ATS and had been an ack ack searchlight operator based at Penns lane Sutton Coldfield. I only know of a couple of stories about my nan I'm sure she wouldn't mind me telling you this! She had a poorly tooth and so went to see the army dentist, the dentist hurt her so she kicked him and called him an explicit word begging with b and ending in ard, she was then sent to prison for fourteen days.
Another story whilst serving in Whitby she had been granted leave so was on the train back home, I think maybe changing at Crewe. She met a man standing on the platform very tall dark and handsome in a RAF uniform, the man started to make idle talk and asked where she was going, she said "home", 'where's home' he asked, she said "Kingstanding" he said 'me too', she said "oh yeah I bet" he said 'I live there too', they shared the train journey home and the rest of their lives thereafter. They married after the war was over and had four beautiful children, the eldest following in their footsteps and serving in the army from the time he was old enough to join up until the time of retirement plus some.
My nan also said that serving in the army during WW2 were the best days of her life, she loved army life. I'm glad that I am able to tell her story as I cannot find anything about her. All that I know is she, like others, were very brave and need to be remembered and thanked for allowing our freedom that we have today.
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