The History of Ruddington Depot
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Wartime Operations
Taking a break
Taking a shower provided a pleasant break from routine:
“You had these huge toilet blocks and shower blocks but there were so many people wanting them that you more or less had to take one when it was offered. They would come to you in the middle of the night and ask whether you would want to have a shower. You had to go in two’s at night. It was lovely and warm in there with the crickets chirping like mad outside. You wouldn’t get a shower every night – only when your turn came.”
A
group of canteen staff with ROF Ruddington embroidered on their overalls.Margaret
Stapleford appreciated the canteen on Clean Side:
“You had to go there for your drink. You couldn’t get a cup of coffee or tea during your ten minutes break in the filling shop, but the breaks in the canteen were for about a hour. The canteen was on Clean Side so we went as we were; even washing hands was optional. “
The details of the menu on offer in the canteens has almost been forgotten. Trace memories which remain suggest they served typical war-time fare: rissoles (meat balls), brown stew, suet puddings with custard made from dried milk, prunes and rice pudding. Everything was filling but monotonous.
Lilian Slack occasionally took her own food to eat in the long break:
“The canteen did not serve hot meals to the night shift, only sandwiches, cakes, biscuits, etc. Sometimes I took a packed meal with me, which had to be wrapped up with my name written on it. I left it on a tray in the changing room and picked it up in the canteen. We were able to buy two cigarettes and two matches each in the canteen and these had to be smoked at once. The canteen was also used during thunderstorms and air raids. There were underground shelters but they were so dark and uncomfortable and the canteen was so warm and welcoming by comparison that we preferred it.”
The Story > Chapter 3 > Section 3.10