A Resident from HC-One’s Sutherland Court Care Home in Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne is presented two medals for her service in the ATS and Searchlights during World War II.
Barbara Nicholson lived with her parents in Aberdeen when she was called up into the army in April 1942 at the age of twenty. She remembers her father saying:
“Don’t worry Barbara, this war won’t last and you’ll be home for Christmas”, the trouble was he didn’t say which Christmas!
She carried out some initial training at Inverness barracks before being transferred to Rhyll in North Wales for further training as a Radio Transmitter Operator where she also learnt to identify aeroplanes from their shape. She was then attached to the Royal Artillery and stationed North of London, near Watford.
She helped man the searchlights homing RAF planes returning from bombing missions to their base in Lincolnshire and always received a thank you message from the pilots. Sadly, she remembers that unfortunately not all of them returned.
The Lord Mayor of Newcasttle upon Tyne, Councillor David Down, presented Barbara with two medals for bravery and honour for her time during World War II. Nine of her family were there to witness the proud occasion where they celebrated with a selection of food and drink.
Barbara was overwhelmed and very proud.
Sutherland Court’s Home Manager, Karen Stewart commented:
“It makes us so proud that we could honour Barbara by being able to hold the occasion here at Sutherland Court.”