My life in the ATS on an Ack Ack Battery
The memories of Muriel Schroter, who served in the ATS as Private Hawkins 205907, at Ashleigh Road and later Mumbles Hill.
In 2007, Muriel Schroter, who was then aged 89 and then lived in Regina Avenue, Waterloo, Liverpool contacted us.
She recalled:-'I was born in Liverpool and joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1942 at Oswestry as Private Hawkins 205907. The 3.7" Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery was formed there and sent to ‘SWANSEA SIX Off Post’, at the University Playing Fields, Ashleigh Road, Swansea, in January 1943.
I was older that the other girls in the unit and took charge of the Telephonists/ Wireless operators there. At that site there were the 3.7" AA guns of our battery and Boffors AA Guns manned by the Home Guard. There was an original form of radar there'
We had one day off and one evening off per week and were rarely off the camp. When at ‘SWANSEA SIX’ I went to the cinema in Swansea and had fish & chips. I also visited the bomb damaged Methodist Church opposite the Civic Centre and close to the Patti Pavilion.
22 October 1941
Aerial of Ashleigh Road, Swansea
Shows Rocket and several Anti-aircraft sites, along with RA & ATS barracks. Currently, the site is Council & University Playing fields, as well as Tennis Club.
'Dad's Army' of number 7 section, Swansea Home Guard who manned the Z Battery Rocket site at Ashleigh Road, Swansea. Photo: Mark Ridgewell.
The Z Battery, was a short range anti-aicraft weapon, which launched 3-inch diameter rockets, used in ground-based single and multiple launchers for air defence.
Muriel Schroter, (Private Hawkins 205907) continued -
'Later on I moved to ‘SWANSEA FIVE,’ a 3.7" Battery on Mumbles Hill, where at the time there was no radar, but later on they had a Canadian made radar which was much better.
I worked with 12 girls at the Command Post, again as a Telephonist. We worked a shift system, 8am – 12 midday, or 12 – 4, or 4 – 8, or 8 – 12, or 12 midnight until 8 am a longer shift.
When we arrived at the camp the men were moved out of the wooden huts and they lived in tents for several months, while Nissan huts were built opposite.'
(Editor: The wooden huts were situated by the Mumbles Hill Local Nature Reserve car park, at what is now called Thistleboon Drive.)
ATS Barracks: as labeled above. More: Aerial photos of Mumbles Head, Swansea
I remember that one day I had to talk to a major at the tented camp and it was usual to knock at any door before entering a room. As there was no door to the tent I found it difficult, as how could you knock on a tent flap?
The ATS then moved into six Nissan huts and 12 girls were billeted in each hut. In addition we had several female sergeants and officers who had separate accommodation’.
(Editor: The planned female establishment for the Gower Defence Scheme was recorded as 86 ATS. This corresponds to the figures given by Muriel, 72 other ranks, 14 NCO & Officers).
At the Command Post the ATS were on the Instruments, Height Finders and communications. We once helped a Polish Airman who while flying over the Bristol Chanel, lost his direction and using the new Canadian radar we were able to guide him home to his base at Fairwood Airfield. He visited the AA Battery the following day to thank us for our help.
I remember that REME were at Fairwood and that airmen on the base used to practise ‘bombing’ on a range at Worms Head, Gower.
Muriel Schroter, (Private Hawkins 205907) continued -At Mumbles Hill it was all practice and I saw little or no German airplane activity. We travelled elsewhere to actually fire a gun. One day we had a misfire and everyone ran away from the gun in case it exploded’.
(HG veteran said that 3.7 gun sites used for practice were near Llanelli as well as Jersey Marine, Swansea -NB John)
‘In 1944, sometime before D Day, the men in the coastal battery were moved and the Americans took over the accommodation there. We sent two of our 3.7" guns to Dover and I believe that afterwards we only had two guns.
I was sent to Reading later in 1944 where I worked in the Pay Corps.
I have two photos of the command post given to me by a man who asked me what each room was used for and then was able to complete his plans of the post.
When at ‘SWANSEA FIVE’ we went to the Methodist Church in Mumbles. I also spent evenings at the home of a couple Mr & Mrs Kirby Jones, who lived opposite the gates of the camp and they were very nice to me. Mr Kirby Jones worked for Swansea Town Council and showed me around the Brangwyn Hall at The Guildhall, Swansea and I also went to concerts there.
I was very interested when, a little while ago, the Antiques Roadshow was held in the Brangwyn Hall and I saw the panels. The panels had a great effect on me when I saw them and found them amazing.
I also met Mr Mrs Dyke, who were also from the Methodist Church and I used to visit them at their home at 33, Dryslyn Road, West Cross.
I am still in touch with one ATS girl who also served at SWANSEA SIX and was a clerk in the transport office there’.
Aerial of Mumbles Head, 7 July 1946
Shows Anti-aircraft and Coastal Defence Gunsites, along with RA & ATS barracks.
NB: A Modern Map records show that Ashleigh Road was named Swansea T N6 N26 Sketty. The two numbers could reflect a twin site, Guns & Rockets. The Mumbles Hill site was named, Swansea S Mumbles. I have updated Muriel Schroter's memory accordingly. Muriel may have been correct, even after sixty years, and I will keep checking this point.