She
was born 13th May 1924, and she enlisted in Balloon Command on 18th
March 1942 at Preston.
Her
civilian occupation was that of Usherette. Her religion was given as Church
of England.
Her
medical stated she was 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a 32-inch chest, dark
auburn hair, blue-green eyes, and a fresh complexion. It was noted that
there were three vaccination scars on her left arm. She was graded Medical
Category Grade one.
She
was given the number 2089738, this was from the range of service numbers
2000000 to 2099999, issued from May 1941 and ending with 2099997. These were
enrolments by the W.A.A.F. Inspectorate of Recruiting. This suggests she
would have filled in a form advertising W.A.A.F. opportunities in a
newspaper.
On
the 19th March 1942 she was posted to the Reserves and on 26th
March 1942 she was called up and posted from the Reserves to the No.1 ,
W.A.A.F. Depot, , Bridgnorth. This would have been for kitting out.
She
was mustered as an Aircraft charge hand / Balloon Operator.
On
30th March 1942 she was posted to No. 3
W.A.A.F. Depot, Morecambe.
After
one months basic training she was posted to No.1 Barrage Balloon Training
Unit at Cardington. This was usually a ten-week course. She passed out as a
Balloon Operator on 16th July 1942.
Her
first proper posting was then to No. 938 Squadron. This was at a time when
“Waffisisation” or the substitution programme of women for the men in
Barrage Balloon Squadrons, was well underway. She was one of six fully
trained W.A.A.F. crews who arrived at No. 938 Squadron for service on 16th
July 1942. This was based at Hartburn, Stockton-on-Tees. This was given the
task of defending the I.C.I. Works among other areas.
They
immediately took over balloon sites Nos. 3, 26, 32, 42,45,and 47.
On
the night of 27th July 1942 they experienced their first enemy
attack. From 0027 to 0149 on 27th July between 25 and 30 enemy
aircraft came in from the North at heights between 3,000 and 13,000 feet.
Initially a series of flares was dropped. A total of 6 high explosive bombs
fell along with some explosive incendiaries. A total of three plants in the
I.C.I. Works were damaged.
“B”
Flight Headquarters at No.90 Belasis Avenue, had the roof blown off and No.
112 Belasis Avenue had the windows blown out along with other damage. An
unexploded bomb was in the back garden of No. 19, Hood Crescent. All
telephonic connections were out of action.
In
“B” Flight the Billet for No. 10 Balloon Site was damaged by bomb blast.
On No.18 Balloon Site, the balloon was damaged by shrapnel. On Site 8 the
balloon broke away when an enemy aircraft
flying North to South hit the cable at between 3,000 to 4,000 feet.
At No. 16 Balloon Site there was an unexploded bomb. The
anti-aircraft fire was spasmodic and at times the shells were exploding
below the Balloon Barrage.
Later
that day there was a Local Trade and Test Board for all W.A.A.F. personnel.
The
Squadron had been under attack on 8th July 1942 and the W.A.A.F.
were praised by Air Marshall Sir Leslie Gossage for their efforts that
night.
On
18th July 1942 there was concern by the Medical Officer over the
collection and emptying of bucket latrines.
On
26th July 1942 between 0045 and 0145 there was a short, sharp
attack by enemy aircraft over the barrage area. High explosive bombs were
dropped on the Haverton Hill area near “B” Flight Headquarters, causing
it to be evacuated. An unexploded bomb was on the Billet for Balloon site
10. Many incendiaries were dropped causing fires in “D” Flight areas. An
aircraft hit the cable on Balloon Site 8 and came down on the site.
On
3rd July 1942 No. 2054298 Aircraftwoman 2nd Class K.
N. Brenton had been injured when she was being taken to No.14 Balloon Site
on a lorry when there was an accident causing a broken skull and concussion.
She was taken to Stockton & Thornaby Emergency Medical Services
Hospital. On 27th July 1942 it was decided to transfer her to the
Head Injuries Clinic at Newcastle General Hospital. The Squadron medical
Officer accompanied her in the ambulance.
As
the W.A.A.F.’s arrived they had been re-examined for the standard
“Free From Infection” (F.F.I.) inspection and 75 W.A.A.F.’s
needed urgent dental work.
At
the end of July, 26 new W.A.A.F. Crews had arrived and there were now 490
men and 412 women on site.
On
16th July 1942 she attained 48% in her Balloon Operator
examination. On 3rd August 1942 at 1906 hours a Dornier 217 flew
through the entire barrage at 800 feet narrowly missing several balloon
cables. It dropped four high explosive bombs. Two landed on Middlesborough
Railway Station and two near to it. Four civilians were killed and 15
injured.
On
the 14th August 1942 the Medical Officer was struggling to deal
with an outbreak of gnat bites which are causing may W.A.A.F.’s to develop
blisters and swollen legs with some being admitted to Station Sick Bay.
There
was some belief that W.A.A.F.’s were likely to suffer medical issues doing
Balloon Operating. In the middle of August 1942 it was ordered that all
W.A.A.F.’s should under go Free From Infection examinations every 14 days.
Lack of staff meant this was only possible once every four weeks.
At
the end of August 1942 there were now 51 Balloon Sites occupied and there
were 570 female and 441 males in the Squadron.
On
the 7th September 1942 from just before midnight through to 0024
on the 8th September there was a short, sharp attack by 14 enemy
aircraft. They dropped 12 high explosive bombs in the barrage area. There
was some civilian casualties and balloons damaged by shrapnel.
In
the early hours of 15th September 1942 two Halifaxes struck
balloon cables, luckily they were fitted with cable cutters and landed
safely at Middleton-St-George.
A
Local Test and Trade Board was held for the Balloon
Operators on 22nd September 1942.
On
10th October 1942 at 0050 a W.A.A.F. was assaulted by a civilian
on her Balloon Site. The W.A.A.F. was detained in Sick Quarters with a
lacerated scalp. Wandering Romeos were often a problem for W.A.A.F.’s but
generally these Romeos got swift justice from the males in the Squadron
while waiting for the civilian police. The W.A.A.F.’s were not armed but
given boxwood truncheons for defence and were not afraid to use them. The so
called “civilian” was in fact in the army and was subsequently court
martialled.
In
October 1943 she attained 68% in her Balloon Operator examination.
On
23rd November 1942 the Medical Officer was concerned with the
Latrines and were poorly thought out. He considered the W.A.A.F. were
content to “jog” along with things as they were and that they showed
little initiative in improvements and maintenance.
On
14th December 1942 at 2000 hours three high explosive bombs were
dropped in the barrage area by 12 enemy aircraft. No injuries to personnel.
On
New Years Eve there were 1,032 personnel , 689 females and 343 males.
At
her annual review on 31st December 1942 she was mustered as a
Balloon Operator with rank of Aircraftwoman 2nd Class. Her
character was “Very Good”, Trade was Balloon Operator and her
Proficiency was Satisfactory.
On
26th June 1942 a Wings for Victory Parade was held. A detachment
of one officer and twenty-five R.A.F. and one officer and twenty-five
W.A.A.F. attended from No. 938 Barrage Balloon Squadron.
On
1st July 1943 2089738 Leading Aircraftwoman Rosina Alice May
Cumings was posted to No.936 Balloon Barrage Squadron.
On
that day No.936 Balloon Barrage Squadron was amalgamated with No. 937
Balloon Barrage Squadron. The unit now became 936/7 Balloon Barrage
Squadron. It was based at R.A.F. Hill-House, Melbury Road, Heaton,
Newcastle-0n-Tyne.
There
was one R.A.F. Flight (male) and five W.A.A.F. Flights (female). They flew
62 Barrage Balloons from
ground-based locations and one Waterborne Flight with six Shore Servicing
Stations.
They
carried out much routine work but had very little interaction with the
enemy.
On
1st November 1943 she was increased in rank to Aircraftwoman 1st
Class.
At
her annual review on 31st December 1943 she was mustered as a
Balloon Operator with rank of Aircraftwoman 1st Class. Her character was
“Very Good”, Trade was Balloon Operator and her Proficiency was
Satisfactory.
On
1st May 1944 she was increased in rank to a Leading
Aircraftwoman.
Following
D-Day the Squadron ceased operational duties from 1st July 1944.
The W.A.A.F.’s were given priority to be interviewed
and selected for training in other Trades. All airwomen have attended
the 10 2 lectures given during July. Course were given in Biology,
Mothercraft, Home Nursing and Citizenship. Some airwomen are attending a
local Children’s Nursery. Cooker d Demonstrations, Leathercraft,
needlework, Embroidery, and Slipper making. Some airwomen have been on
visits to local historic sights. Swimming Instruction has also been popular.
She
was discharged from the service on 21st July 1944 under King’s
Regulations, paragraph 652 (ii)
She
served for 2 years and 126 days.
Her
qualifying service was 2 years and 67 days.
She
was entitled to 852 days Post-War Credits.
Time
forfeited was 3 days due to being absent without leave from 0001 hours on 22nd
January 1944 to 2000 hours on 24th January 1944.
On
discharge review on 21st July 1944 she was mustered as Balloon
Operator with rank of Leading Aircraftwoman. Her character was “Very
Good”, Trade was Balloon Operator and her Proficiency was Satisfactory.
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