War Strictly ended my race to stardom

TODAY’S promising young athletes are given so much encouragement. How different it was pre-World War II. In those days the school leaving age was 14, and you were then able to start work. My first job was with a printers in Moorgate, and the hours were 8am to 6pm. I lived in Dagenham, essex, so each morning I would get a workman’s ticket to London’s Moorgate. On training nights, I would take my sports bag with me to work, then after I’d finished work I’d go straight to the running track and it would be 9pm before I arrived home. At 15 years of age, you became a senior, and my first senior event was indoors and held in London, which suited me — I just went straight from work. In 1939 I was fortunate enough to take part in the Women’s Amateur Athletic Association Championships at White City. the essex coach decided I would compete in the club’s relay team — to the protestations of the team, as they would have preferred a more experienced athlete. However we did win, and at just 15 years of age I held a gold WAAA medal. the following Sunday, as usual, I went to the Dagenham track. Our coach was there — but the track was full of fire engines. It was the end of any athletic dreams we had — the war changed so many lives. Our coach advised us to take up ballroom dancing to keep fit, but it was a poor substitute. As for that gold medal? I lost it somewhere. How I would love to see it again. Irene McLeish, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.