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WW2 veteran says working with others eased her fear

Emma Baugh,Peterboroughand
Aimee Dexter
News imageEmma Baugh/BBC Elsie Wilkins is sitting on a turquoise armchair and is holding a rectangle box which has four gold medals in it. Emma Baugh/BBC
Elsie Wilkins spoke to the BBC about her time as a cook during World War Two

A veteran who worked as a cook for the woman's branch of the British Army during World War Two has spoken about the experience ahead of VE Day.

VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe on 8 May 1945, when people joined together to sing, dance and rejoice after nearly six years of war.

Elsie Wilkins, 105, moved to Peterborough in 1985 and now lives at Clayburn Court care home in the Hampton area of the city.

When speaking on Thursday, Wilkins said she had "enjoyed" being with people during her time in service, adding that "it took the fright off really because you were in it together".

News imageWilkins Family An old black-and-white, framed portrait of Elsie Wilkins as a young woman. She is wearing an Auxiliary Territorial Service hat and uniform. She is looking at the camera. Wilkins Family
Wilkins joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service and worked as a cook during World War Two

Wilkins lived with her three brothers and four sisters in London, before meeting her husband, who had been a prisoner of war, aged 18.

When recalling the war, she said: "There used to be about three of us, we all had different things to do and we got on alright.

"We had odd jobs to do, we never stood still at all, we washed up and buttered bread for the soldiers.

"They were very good, we used to get a couple of nasty men, but I used to tell the girls to ignore them."

News imageEmma Baugh/BBC Colin Goodson is sitting on a turquoise chair. He has short white hair and is wearing a chequered shirt, spotted tie and a chequered jacket. Emma Baugh/BBC
Colin Goodson served with the Royal Corps of Signals between 1947 and 1948

Colin Goodson was conscripted after the war and was in the Royal Corps of Signals between 1947 and 1948.

He was sent to serve in Asia with the British Army unit which provided essential battlefield and operational connectivity.

"It was a damn good teaching for a young man," Goodson said.

"We went right in the jungle [and] the master got bit by a snake and died within four hours... we all liked him so we went to his funeral," he added.

News imageEmma Baugh/BBC Genia Haylock is standing in a corridor. She has short grey hair and is wearing a purple shirt with a black jumper over the top.Emma Baugh/BBC
Genia Haylock is the activity lead at the Peterborough care home

Genia Haylock, the activity lead at the care home, said residents would be commemorating VE Day.

When talking about the veterans who live at the care home, she said: "It is a privilege to have them here... they have done so much for the country, they have all played their part, and it is amazing.

"They are all different individuals, and all have their own characters."

The Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford, Cambridgeshire, is hosting a flying day for VE Day celebrations on Saturday.

The site was a World War Two fighter station and is home to several fighter squadrons.

Subject to weather conditions, it said several planes from the war would feature in its two-hour show.

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