Suddenly, the lights were on, someone was shouting for us to get up and I could hear a bugle.  I looked at my watch and saw that it was 6a.m.  I had never been woken up this early before and neither, to judge by their reaction, had many of the others.  The corporal sprang out of bed, put on the rest of her clothes and shouted for us to get a move on as breakfast was at 6.30. 

We rushed into the ablutions where there were two showers, four wash basins and two lavatories.  Not being used to all this mad activity in the morning, most of us just managed to wash our face and hands before grabbing our utensils and being marched to the Mess (we quickly learned that ATS marched everywhere - no idling around).  We got thick porridge, one rasher of bacon, a hard-fried egg and fried bread.  There was milk, sugar, thick slices of bread and a large plate of what appeared to be butter on each table.  No sooner had we gulped it down than the Corporal appeared shouting for us to get back to the hut at once.

We were now initiated into ATS daily routine. The bed had to be stripped and folded back into the intricate Swiss Roll structure - your bed must never be made before four o'clock in the afternoon.  Then came the communal jobs - a rota had been made out so that we all took our turn.  First, clear out the ashes in the stove and lay it with paper, wood and coke ready to be lit when the beds were made again.  Sweep the floor, then do it over with a wet mop and clean the ablutions.  We had an hour to do all this and make ourselves presentable!

At nine we were taken over to the stores to get our uniform.  Lined up in alphabetical order, we walked down the long counter, where clerks issued the various items.  First, to my amazement, came underwear - 3 vests, 3 white panties, 3 long khaki 'bloomers' with elastic in the legs - 2 blue striped winceyette pyjamas - 3 bras - 2 suspender belts - 2 towels.

Clothes were issued on the lines of what size?  If you weren't sure, you would be given what the clerk thought was near enough - no sissy things like tape measures!  The shoes were very good indeed, flat heeled lace ups, made by Diana or Clarks, both very well known makes.  We had 3 khaki shirts, quite nice if rather stiff with dressing, two skirts, one jacket, a greatcoat, the 'official' cap - with a stiff brim and floppy top - and a forage cap in dark brown with orange piping which could only be worn off-duty or on leave.  Very useful was the khaki coloured zip fastened shoulder bag - not leather, I think it was a thick canvas material.  We also got a khaki woollen scarf and gloves, which were not official issue but known as 'comforts' because they had been bought by various Forces Comforts Fund Associations throughout the country.  We had to sign for all this kit and were told that if any of it was lost we would have to pay to replace the items.  We were also given a groundsheet - for a rainy day - and a kit bag, in which to stuff all our clothes - it was already stencilled with our name and number!

I don't know how we staggered back to the hut with all this lot.  We were told to get into the uniform - what a laugh that was!  My jacket was too big up top and too small at the waist, my skirt came down to my ankles and with all my hair, the floppy hat just perched on top of my head.

Once we'd got it on, or not as the case may be, we had to go outside to be inspected by an Officer accompanied by the sergeant tailor, who took notes of which of us had to have alterations.  The Officer was very strict because we had to look smart at all times, so the uniform had to fit properly.  Those of us, whose things had to go back to the stores, continued to wear civilian clothes.  OK, if the all your stuff was being altered, but if it was only the skirt or jacket, then you had to wear part of your civilian clothes until the alterations were done.  There were some very odd sights around the camp for the first few days I can tell you!

Next on the agenda were a medical and nit-search.  It was a bit like being at a horse sale - teeth examined, eyes peered at, chest and back thumped.  This took until dinner at midday - I can't remember what we ate for the rest of my time in York - it wasn't special that's for sure.

We did have a break after dinner and were introduced to the NAAFI. Here we could buy tea, sandwiches, sweets and a peculiar bright yellow cake, a plain Madeira slab known as the "Yellow Peril"; we got a thick slice for about two-pence.  As well as snacks, we could buy shoe and button polish, talcum powder and I think face powder and lipstick - when we had the money!  We also met some other new recruits and some "old hands" who had been at York for a week or two.  They told us awful tales about the inoculations that were to come!

After this we went back to the hall to join other girls who had arrived yesterday, to hear an introductory talk by the ATS Commanding Officer.  Not actually a welcome to the ATS, rather, a 'here's what you do and this is what happens if you don't do it '!

We learnt that we'd be here for four weeks, during which time we would do basic training, including learning Army Drill, how to march, salute an Officer, how to clean shoes and buttons, how to lay out kit for inspection and many more fascinating jobs.  Furthermore, we would have a vaccination against Smallpox and inoculations against a variety of other complaints.  We'd also do some Matrix tests, a sort of modern day eleven plus, which would tell the Army how intelligent we were and what jobs we would be suitable for.

Once we had our complete uniforms, we'd be allowed out to York in the evenings, but must be back by ten thirty; if we were late we'd be put on a charge.  Then followed a list of other things that could result in one being put on a charge, which seemed to cover everything except breathing!  At the end of the four weeks, there would be a passing out parade and we must do our utmost to be the smartest group and not let our corporal down.  We would then be posted to our permanent units.  No home leave was allowed before three months service, unless for compassionate reasons.

As I tottered - sorry ‘marched’ - back to the hut, head full of all these weird practices, I thought this wasn't the life that the poster had promised me.  I was expecting to be on the guns within a matter of days, doing my duty for King and Country, not learning all this boring stuff.  Too late, too late - there was no escape now unless I deserted and that would probably mean ending up being shot!