Veronica has picked a wonderful way to celebrate her 80th birthday, publishing her memoirs within the auspices of the Dominion Institute's Memory Project, established to keep memories of the 20th century from being lost.
Her memories encompass education in a convent, starting work at 14 while bombs rained on London in 1940, joining the Women's Auxiliary Air Force and working as a Flight Mechanic on aircraft engines, then emigrating to Canada; a second WAAF engagement as a drill instructor and later, to the United States where she spent 40 years in Hawaii, California, Arizona and Florida before retiring in British Columbia, near where her father had started out 80-some years earlier.
"Looking back I can't help wondering where I would be if there had been no WWII. That event affected everyone and the course of our lives was changed forever. Most of us were able to pick up the pieces and move on, but for others, that wasn't possible.
"The years spent in the WAAF were all part of an education, being able to get along with others in all walks of life. We were all different, yet wearing the same uniform and marching to the same drummer. Many friendships were formed, and love affairs started only to end when a posting happened and there was a parting of the ways.
"Despite all the potatoes and carrots I peeled and other penalties paid for breaking the rules, I wouldn't have missed the experience. Now that I've finally settled down after all my moves, I am able to relive those days with my friends in the WAAF Association here in Canada. Our monthly luncheons are a noisy affair, it seems as if we have all become those 17 and 18 year olds again as we recount a funny event."