Pte. Marguerite Lois Nurse
Auxiliary Territorial Service 93rd Searchlight Regiment, 301st (M) S/L Battery Royal Artillery
from:Bristol
Greta Nurse served in the A.T.S. from May 1942 to July 1945. The initial Army training was at Aldermaston and then she was chosen to be trained to operate a searchlight. This training took place at Norton Manor Farm just outside Taunton, Somerset. She was stationed at Ponsbourne Park in Hertfordshire, C Troop, 93rd Searchlight Regiment. During an air raid by the enemy, the searchlight team had to try to find the enemy bombers and illuminate them with the searchlight. If a group of searchlights managed to light up the same plane then the guns could shoot them down.
Some diary entries for 1942:
- Friday 8th May 1942 Joined A.T.S. Went to Aldermaston for basic training.
- Wednesday 3rd June Left Aldermaston & went to Taunton, Norton Manor Barracks, for technical training. Trained as 6, 7 & 8 on searchlights.
- Friday 31st July Passing out parade. Inspection by Colonel. Very hot, took 2 hrs.
- Tuesday 25th August Had prestige march through Taunton. Had party in evening, dance after.
- Wed. 26th August Left Taunton, training finished, going to an operational site to take over from men. Going near N. London.
- Thurs. 27th August Just getting settled in. We had to scrub whole place yesterday and were out at night on exercises.
- Sun. 13th September Hostile raid, turned out about midnight.
- Sat. 26th September Exercises from 7p.m. to 3a.m. Very good, 6 engagements, 3 illuminations.
Diary entry for Tuesday 8th May 1945, V.E. Day. War with Germany over. Ceasefire at midnight. Gave short searchlight display at 23.45. Crowds in London. Bonfires lit, bells rung etc. Tues & Weds declared public holidays. On guard.
