A number of years ago I was contacted by Richard Evans whose mother was a driver in the American Ambulance. I’m incredibly grateful for the images and diary extracts below that Richard provided to me. Below are a number of groups of images out of Margarita’s scrapbook, extracts from her diary and a letter from the end of there time in the American Ambulance.
My mother joined the MTC in London in September 1940. She moved to Cardiff in, I think, December 1940, possibly in the AAGB by that time. She moved to Wrexham in January 1941 and remained in until December 1942.
Spring, Wrexham 1942. Clegg, MCB, Tongue, Ding, May, Davey & Norcliffe
“Everything stops for tea” MCB, Tongue, Ding & Norcliffe (first image), MCB, Tongue & May (second image)
Cleaning as it’s done when there is a cameraman about. MCB & Tongue
Muck Spreading! The biggest stooge removes all traces of horse from parade ground.
While Ding & May have “higher” matters to discuss, Tiddler Byers just stands by and – watches. MCB still scraping.
Byers, MCB, May, Page, Davey, Ding
Surely Mrs H isn’t coming by air! It must be some kind of a bird (???) Ding & MCB
The “Fish + Chip” Van halts for – MCB, Ding, Page
MCB’s DIARY SEPTEMBER 1940
16th September
Caught 7.5 from Leominster. Arrived in London in an air raid 12 noon. Broke my way into friend’s flat. Made my way to Lower Belgrave only to find that MTC headquarters had been evacuated because of time bomb. Moved on to Ebury Street. Immediately plunged into drill and all its confusing terms and commands. Found the crowd there extremely jolly. Had an intelligence test. Dead certain my I.Q. is minus quantity. Practical test in putting together: spark plug, electric fitting, torch, bell, peg etc. 4 air raids during afternoon. Evening papers announce that, in the last 24 hours, 15 hours have been air raids. Very rowdy night (from reports). I slept through it all.
17th September
Arrived in Ebury Street in air raid. More complicated drill. First Aid lecture. Tried not to squirm as the different parts of the body were described. Lecture on badges, ranks, saluting etc. Working of the Corps explained. Drilled out in the street. Felt very self conscious. Thought that sounding of sirens would stop us marching- not likely. Bombs or no bombs we carried on. Balloon fell in flames, but this could not stop us either. Came home feeling very stiff and relaxed in hot bath.
18th September
Diez y ocho (MCB was brought up in Chile. Diez y ocho (18) September is national day of Chile) Great excitement! While we were cleaning cars in an air raid in Belgrave Mews, Yours truly with a colleague, the Duke of Kent came up and spoke to us for about 10 minutes. Very rowdy night. At 12 took cover in vault, just in time as a piece of shrapnel came through friend’s flat’s window.
19th September
Stretcher drill. Lecture “Sudden Birth” by Dr XXX
20th September
Very energetic day. Just before departing for flat Mrs F stopped me and told me I had been selected for O.T.C..
22nd September
At 32 Burlington Rd. Very enjoyable day.
23rd September
Up to London from Isleworth. Commence O.T.C. with Intelligence Test followed by lecture on “Lecturing”: and black board writing
1 January 1942
240 miles driven in the day.
Late January
Heavy snow. Fitted chains to 75
14th April
To Liverpool in F.A.P. Lunch at Reece’s. Barmy woman tells me I’m disgrace to my sex for “messing” with mechanics rather than stay at home with my husband and child.
28th April
Up to hospital early to collect TB case (ATS) and Nurse for Sanitorium in Knaresborough. Lunch Keighley. Spend night in Harrogate. Heavy raid on York. Dress at 3AM. Look at shops and return via Huddersfield and Glossop. Get lost after Nantwich. Reach Wrexham 7.30.
17th May
Play all day at Invasion Exercises-bored to tears. Sit from 9 AM to 6 PM in ambulance, one case a real casualty.
22nd June
In PM 16 old women from Plas Maelor to Trinity – Oh the smell!
23rd June
Phone rings at 2.30 AM. Fetch 75 to Towyn with XX (colleague) and Nurse. Too late to move patient (a real slut with scabies). Prepare for baby. No bed so use old narrow slippery Victorian couch. 1st baby arrives with cord round neck. 2nd baby half hour later a breach birth. Thank God for Dettol, only disinfectant available. Bring mother and twins to Gerwyn. When I saw the patient’s agonies I felt I could never bear it until I nursed the babies coming home and then I knew that I’d go through hell to have one of my own.
18th July
To Liverpool with soldier for Alder Hey. Give lift to 3 soldiers and sailors. Sailor leaves his underpants and shaving kit in FA1. What am I to do with them?
29th July
To Glyn Ceiriog Valley, most exciting morning watching 5 operations: a breast removed, 2 appendices, a rib removed.
28th October
To Towyn with XX (colleague). Stay night at Aberdovey. Have amusing evening with French Commandos. Collect Officer Cadet from Towyn Cottage Hospital.
2nd November
5.30 to Towyn with XX (colleague) for emergency mother. Home at 10.45.
5th November
Try to get FASP back before Miss Farrar arrives but fail. Tea with Miss Farrar. She very charming, offers me 2nd I/c. Decide it would not be a peaceful move, rather remain driver.
19th April 1943
Phone AAGB and enquire about chances of lift to Liverpool. XX (former colleague) in FAPB appears 12.10. Feels like old times to be in the horse box again. Quick lunch and then to Seaforth (Naval Hospital in Liverpool where MCB’s husband was patient after being injured)
