Eveline Hawkins was in a reserved occupation assisting her parents in their butcher’s business in Ash Vale, so during the War she joined the Civil Defence and Red Cross. She spent three nights every week on duty at the Civil Defence Post in Shawfield Road, which was on the site now occupied by the Shawfield Day Centre. Miss Hawkins’ driving skills were put to good use as an ambulance driver. Basil Stedman, Mrs Perkins, Mrs Stovold and Geoff Norris were also drivers. There was a dormitory for the women and one for the men, so that everyone was ready if called out. The ambulance garages can be seen in this picture, behind the Cadets.

The nurses cooked the drivers light meals, which supplemented their rations, and often the record player could be heard playing the popular tune “In the mood”.