MISSING . . .
THE DAILY MAIL offers readers a unique opportunity to re-establish contact with long-lost relatives and friends. Each week, MONICA PORTER features the story of someone trying to find a missing loved one, as well as a tale of people reunited. This column is produced in conjunction with the voluntary tracing service, Searching For A Memory, run by Gill and John Whitley. ‘My NAME is Patricia (Tricia) Clark, nee Deasington,’ writes a follower of this column. ‘I joined Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service in November 1967 — No. 5 State Enrolled Nurse course at RAF Halton — for six weeks’ basic training.
Though called course No. 5, it was actually the first one, so we were the guinea pigs!
‘In January 1968 we went to RAF Ely Hospital to start our nursing training. Several others joined the course here, including Brandy, Sue Connor and Harry Brett.
‘Soon after we were fitted with our uniforms. The “best blue” fitted me and Ann Coe (nee Booth), not requiring any alterations. The woman in charge said we must be a funny shape. We were also issued with “passion killers” — silk knickers which changed colour when washed and returned to their original colour when they were ironed. At Halton we learnt how to march (well some of us did), “bull” (clean) a room and shoes and make a bed pack. It was great to support each other, as we all felt like fish out of water.
‘Those in my photo include, (back row from left): Ann, me, Gordon Willis, Jan Czumaj (excuse spelling), Cilla Brittain and Sandy Parker nee Hill. Front row from left: Carol Mills, Jan Llewelyn, Cpl Goldberg, Caroline Stanley and Chris Trimm nee O’Connor.
‘As it’s 50 years since we first met, it would be great to hold a reunion. I now live in Gillingham, Kent. Thanks for your help.’