At the outbreak of WWII (3 Sept 1939) some 4 1/2 months short of my 17th birthday, I was employed in what the Government categorised as a luxury trade. Shortly thereafter a Government Engineering Training Centre was set up in my home town of Leeds, under the direction of Professor Helm of the Engineering Faculty of Leeds University. His stated objective was to prove to the Government that qualified precision fitters could be turned out in 6 months.

How Helen first heard about the WRNS

In January 1940, still too young to volunteer for the WRNS, I applied to the Engineering Training Centre, and was accepted after passing numeracy, literacy and aptitude tests. The training involved classroom study, maths, metallurgy etc…and workshop training in metalwork which involved working from blueprints, operating centre and capstan lathes, milling and drilling machines etc..At the end of 6 months training period and following written, oral and practical examinations, I was sent off with my engineering test pieces for an interview with the Works Manager of Kershaw of Leeds, Scientific Instrument Makers. After an oral exam to test my knowledge as a qualified precision fitter he said he was impressed, in particular with my test-pieces. However in a department in which women had never been employed he would need to put the matter before the board of directors, along with the test-pieces.

On my return to the training centre, Professor Helm was delighted, but shared my anxiety awaiting the Board's decision.

A few days later, I received a letter of acceptance for employment and advising that there would be a delay of 3 weeks for arrangements to be made for employment of a female in an all-male department. On entering that department I was struck by the scrupulous cleanliness, bright lighting and the dust extractors. All necessary of course when producing scientific precision instruments. The main production at that time was the sighting-heads for bombsights. I was treated with great kindness and courtesy by the highly skilled men employed there who helped to hone my precision fitting skills considerably.

However, after 2 1/2 years working there on 12 hour shifts, once I reached the age of 18, I still wished to join the WRNS and applied to leave. Mr York, the Works Manager, advised me that under the Reserved Occupations Section of the Ministry of Labour Act, I could not be released. Nevertheless, I obtained a copy of the Act from the Ministry of Labour and on checking the release clauses found that Clause 8 (never forgotten it) allowed release to join the RN/WRNS if a close relative was serving in the RN. The younger of my two brothers was serving in the Royal Navy. Mr York and the department were disappointed but they had employed 3 more women in that department by the time I left.

They gave me a leaving party and wished me well. I wrote to Professor Helm and congratulated him on proving his case to the Government: that with good education and training, it does not require a 7 year apprenticeship to become a qualified precision fitter.