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THE TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE JOURNAL
AUGUST, 1917.] THE TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE JOURNAL. 145
AIR RAID ACTION.
BY J. W. KENNEDY.
THE screeching and banging of exploding bombs, with that irritating squelching double thud at the end, the rattle of guns, the feeling that any moment—particularly the next moment—one may be crushed out of existence, the horrible helplessness and uncertainty of those who, themselves subjected to danger, have no means of reply ; such are not experiences that our pre-war notions of our women staff would have led us to expect could be endured—not that we had any reason to impute cowardice to them, but simply because the very idea of the possibility of such endurance being required of them never entered our minds. They, on their parts, had become inured to the idea that the even tenour of their official duties was unlikely to be disturbed by anything in the nature of adventure. And if they had a grievance against fate, it was that the large things of life, the things which call for the stronger qualities, were not required of them. The adventurous among them sighed for the chances of other days. The strong of spirit yearned for wider worlds to conquer. Some such retrospective thoughts were mine on Saturday morning, the 7th inst., as 1 looked round the London Trunk Exchange while bombs were actually dropping in the immediate vicinity, while the presence of airmen over and on both sides of the building was reported, and while the smoke from exploded bombs was distinctly seen from the windows, and through it all the supervisor nearest to me hovered over her section like a strong spirit seeking to help those under her charge.
I can paint no picture of stoical insensibility. Some nervous cries there were as the bombs dropped, white faces were the rule, but in many of these the lines of determination were the strongest. Silent tears were dropped, but only for a moment. No one near me left her post, and calls were passing and cords connected with the music of death in our ears. So near and insistent was the horrible thud of the bombs that most of us thought that some part of the building had been struck. It seemed to us that the rattle of guns continued longer than even during Zeppelin raids. Some day it may add some value to our lives to know that there were times when, for duty's sake, we faced the chance of death. It must add infinitely more to the lives of women, whose finer nervous and physical organisation makes them feel more acutely.
The conduct of the women staff in the General Post Office South in this and other raids, both day and night staff, established and unestablished, has been worthy of all praise. I have nothing but whole-hearted admiration for their fortitude and courage.
FEBRUARY, 1918] THE TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE JOURNAL. 65
LONDON TELEPHONE SERVICE NOTES.
It is said that we are already a bebadged nation, but one more distinctive symbol is to be added to those at present to be seen. This will be the badge of the L.T.S. Air- Raid Volunteer and if all that rumour says is accurate the badge promises to be decorative, distinctive and distinguished. The badge is to be given to those who volunteer to carry on the telephone service for calls of urgent public utility during raids. There has been a most ready response to the Postmaster-General's appeal for such volunteers who according to one commentator should properly be known as the L.T.S. '' W.A.A.C.'s " on the ground that they " Will Always Answer Calls," but for our part we think they could equally be known as the " W.R.N.S." as they " Will Render National Service."
88. THE TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE JOURNAL. [APRIL, 1918.
LONDON TELEPHONE SERVICE NOTES.
IN our February issue we read of those of our number on whom the King has been pleased to confer medals of the Order of the British Empire for their services to the community in the times of danger which accompany the existing war conditions. The recipients are representatives of the majority of telephonists who have " carried on " in the past and have volunteered to " carry on " in the future and who will ensure that, as far as lies in their power, the vital needs of the community in times of air raids shall not lack telephonic communication. About 75 per cent, of the staff have expressed their willingness to remain in the switchrooms when necessary throughout an air raid for the purpose of attending to urgent calls. So large a proportion will of course not be required on any one occasion and officers in charge may find themselves confronted with the necessity for drawing lots to decide who shall hold the fort. Ono may recognise these volunteers by the badge they will wear. It has been specially designed for the purpose and a photograph of it will be found inset in this column. The distribution is "in progress" and "many exchanges" have received their quota. Some of the badges were actually given out on the occasion of a recent raid. We have heard of several suggestions as to the significance of the letters on these badges, but our readers need not heed them all. The following one. however, seems worthv of record : " An Immediate Response Readies
All Important Demands." |
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