Molly at St Cross Grange care home

Molly just after joining the Army, aged 17

Molly Allen was waiting for a bus when she decided to “pop in” to the recruitment office of the Army. After answering a few questions, she left and went home.

A few days later her call up papers arrived! Molly was only 17 when she joined the Army in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), slightly under age, but she “lied” about her age. She had always wanted to join the Army as her brother was already serving.

After training in Scotland she then went for specialist training as a telephonist with the Royal Corps of Signals. She was then posted to St Cross Grange in Winchester, which had been requisitioned by the Army.

Part of the work at the Grange involved preparing the Hampshire roads to take heavy artillery and tanks in preparation for D-Day.

Molly at St Cross Grange care home in Winchester

Molly with her Royal Corps of Signals badge showing above her left pocket.

During her time at St Cross Grange, she remembers the hard work, the dances in the evening in what is now the main lounge – and meeting her husband, who was a GPO engineer.

Molly has been a resident at St Cross Grange for 2 years. She is 94.

St Cross Grange care home is owned and managed by Greensleeves Care. The home provides person-centred dementia care.