Once basic training was over I was posted to a camp further south in Suffolk. I was given a job in the mail room of the camp sorting the mail to be delivered to the different sections of the camp. Life was a little more civilized now, we could go out when we wanted; go to bed when we wanted etc. We would go to the dances or pictures in the local town usually on Friday and Saturday nights.
I missed Julia at first and we agreed to keep in contact with each other so that first few days was spent getting settled in, they called it 'arriving.' I spent the first night writing letters to Mother, Emma and now Julia to give them my new address and update them on my life in the military.
There was quite a mix of ages here as some of the girls had been in the service for quite a few years, and some had enlisted for life to make a career out of it. All in all they were more cheerful and were happy. New friendships were quickly made as I was welcomed into the barracks; it was a much more relaxed atmosphere than training camp.
I was given a job in the postal sections where we sorted out both incoming and outgoing mail, internal as well as external and given a bicycle so I could deliver mail to different sections around the camp. I would drop off the incoming mail, and pick up any mail to be sent out even if it was to other sections in the camp. I soon relaxed and quite enjoyed the job as it gave me a chance to get to know quite a few people, men and women.
Naturally there was a lot of flirting and teasing and it made me feel good, helping to bring me out of my shell. We could go out any time we were off duty and stay out as long as we liked, the only thing was we were a few miles outside the nearest town and had to take a bus. So one had to make sure to catch the last bus back, which was around midnight, or you had a long walk.
One of the sections I delivered mail to was the Motor Transportation section and that's when I first met Raymond. He was a driver who normally drove one of the Land Rover's that was used for towing Aircraft. I was attracted to him right away, of course like some others he would flirt with me and I kind of enjoyed it.
On Saturdays I would take the bus into town with some other girls so we could shop or just hang out for the afternoon, have supper then have a few drinks in a pub and go to a dance after. That's where I met Raymond again when he asked me for a dance, and then we spent the rest of the evening together, chatting and getting to know each other between dances.
We sat together on the bus back to camp after, then he walked me to my barracks where we stopped and kissed goodnight. They were soon long French kisses and I felt his stiffness through his clothes and finally pulled myself away saying "goodnight" and went in to bed. I admit he made me feel randy but it was just our first date and I hoped he would want to see me again.
One thing about my job I enjoyed was the opportunity to visit sections all aver the camp and get to know quite a few people, and the most interesting for me was the corporal in charge of the bedding and clothing stores. Corporal Higgins as she was known was a tall lady with short blond hair, and always looked quite prim. When we first met she made me feel very welcome, introduced me to her staff and offered me a cup of Tea.
A lot of sections had what we called 'Tea Swindles,' where they could make their own Tea for breaks, and the stores was one of them I would normally arrive at her section around 10 AM, when they were brewing up and I was always welcome. It was an honour system where you put your money, (in these days' three pence) in a cup and help yourself. It was always a pleasure to sir and chat for about a 15 minute break.
During the week Ray asked me to go to the pictures with him on the Thursday night, then the following Saturday we spent the afternoon and evening together, ending up in the dance hall. It was common practice to slip out of the dance hall before the end to be able to go find a quiet place and neck, so we did about half an hour before catching the last bus back to camp.