Brian’s blast from the past
MRS June Williams writing in my book Voices of Cardiff, published by The History Press, had this to say: “When I was 17 I started work in Currans Munitions, from December 1937 until January 1941.
“I was a lathe worker making shell cases.
“We worked three shifts: 6-2, 2-10 and 10-6. The night shift being the worst because of the air-raids of which there were many.
“There was no running to the shelters when the siren went. We had to stay working our machines until the red alert was sounded then down the shelter.
“It was very frightening, and to keep our spirits up we used to sing and drown the noise of the guns and bombs.
“The factory had a few near misses from bombs.
“I used to cycle to work, from Henmen Street in Grangetown to the docks and back, which was about four miles each way.
“Often shrapnel was falling all around and I must say I was frightened.
“Penarth Road was open fields in those days and there was nowhere to shelter if it got too bad, so one which was very exciting as he had to cycle on regardless. stopped by my machine to watch
“One day, February 9, 1940, I even me work and stayed some time. remember the date as it was special “I have a photograph of this; my for me, King George VI came to visit little claim to fame. Unfortunately, the king did not speak to me.
“I was told beforehand and probably the other girls as well: should the king stop at my machine I was to carry on with my work and not look up, which was a pity as he watched me work for about 10 minutes.
“Why he chose to stop at my machine I will never know.”