BANDAGING THE BLITZ

Sub-titled 'The True Story of a Young Nurse in Wartime London'. In 1938, 18 year old Phyllis Ellsworth packs her bags, says goodbye to her anxious parents, and sets off from her quiet seaside home for Hackney Hospital in London's bustling East End. There she is to fulfil her dream to train as a nurse. At first it is a whirlwind of hard work, new friends and plenty of mischief, but just ten months later Britain declares war on Germany and life at the hospital is transformed. Phyll's days become an endless cycle of air-raid sirens, injured servicemen, and civilians anxiously waiting for news of loved ones. When she falls for a handsome young soldier, Phyll's work provides the only distraction from worrying about his safety. A true story of coming of age in terrible times, the blossoming of first romance, a life-long love affair and a young woman whose eagerness to do good in the world brought her suddenly face to face with death and drama in all its many guises. Published in Phyll's 95th year she lived to record the events of 75 years earlier recalling names, places and key events vividly, and the experience of fear and the sheer courage of a generation we are now losing. 325pp, paperback.