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Lifetime Achievement Award.

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ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

KeithInFujairah

KeithInFujairah Report 28 Jul 2009 19:23

Some of you may remember last September/October there was a BBC programme where ex members of the WAAF Nursing Service who were "Flying Nightingales" during the second world war were awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards by Camilla Parker Bowles for their services during the war.

Well my mother happened to see the programme and next time we saw her she mentioned it and also mentioned she had been a "Flying NIghtingale". This set my wife off on a mission to investigate as they had stated the eight recipients were the only survivors.
After a lot of investigation and time, mum is being presented with the award at home tomorrow along with her war medal she never claimed.
The BBC wanted to be there, but she said no, they wanted to interview her for a documentary about the differences between returning the wounded from France and Iraq.
Local radio and paper will be there but she does not know yet!

I am as proud as punch.
Congratulations Mum.
Unfortunately I cannot be there for the presentation, but will ring her afterwards.

Jean (Monmouth)

Jean (Monmouth) Report 28 Jul 2009 19:34

Kieth, I am glad you are proud of your mother. As an ex serving nurse I can appreciate the work she did, and all the others who served in wartime. They were at as much risk as the men and much loved by their patients. Nurses were respected in those days.

KeithInFujairah

KeithInFujairah Report 28 Jul 2009 19:45

Hello Jean, she went on post war in the nursing service up until about 1975 so long term nurse.

During the recovery operations they were not issued with parachutes, they were expected to go down with the aircraft if shot down ( a good possibility as not marked with red cross as on the way out they took supplies etc) and tend the injured post crash.

She ended up marrying dad who was one of her pilots on the missions! And she lied about her age to join up haha we found out lol.

Mauatthecoast

Mauatthecoast Report 28 Jul 2009 19:45

Hi Keith
Congratulations to your Mum and a worthy award for her valuable work
Mau x

Researching:
In my own little world where everybody knows me... ..... best thing about happy memories is making them....

Gwyn in Kent

Gwyn in Kent Report 28 Jul 2009 19:48

Keith
I hope your Mum enjoys her very special day tomorrow.
I send my congratulations to her for the invaluable wartime work that she did.

I wonder if she would have thought to tell you about all this, if the programme hadn't given her a nudge?

Gwyn

KeithInFujairah

KeithInFujairah Report 28 Jul 2009 19:56

Gwyn, she probably would not have, she is rather private and is now unfortunately suffering many minor strokes, hence not wanting the BBC there.

Sorry time for bed here, will check back in the morning, goodnight all.

♥ Kitty the Rubbish Cook ♥

♥ Kitty the Rubbish Cook ♥ Report 28 Jul 2009 20:02

Many many congratulations to your Mum Keith and I hope she has a wonderful day:))

AnninGlos

AnninGlos Report 28 Jul 2009 20:27

How wonderful Keith congratulations to your Mum

Researching:
Photo spring Researching Somerset, Dorset, Hampshire, Derbyshire, Staffs, Devon, Glamorganshire. Ingram, Masters, Tamblyn, Knight, Warner, Bate, Allen, Riggs, Dominey, Duffin

Huia

Huia Report 28 Jul 2009 20:47

Keith, I am so glad your mum made an honest man of your dad by marrying him!

Huia (tongue in cheek)

Researching:
Avatar: Red poppy holding a yellow poppy.

maggiewinchester

maggiewinchester Report 28 Jul 2009 20:50

Well done to your wife, Keith - and congratulations to your mum!

About time they were recognised for what they did!

Researching:
Henry Floyd (g x 4 grandad)

Elisabeth

Elisabeth Report 28 Jul 2009 20:56

Congratulations to a brave lady!

Elisabeth

Carole

Carole Report 28 Jul 2009 21:16

Hope she has a lovely day and enjoys the attention of everyone. xx Who is presenting the award to her ?

Researching:

Joy

Joy Report 28 Jul 2009 21:50


Congratulations to your Mum :-)

Maz (the Royal One) in the East End 9256

Maz (the Royal One) in the East End 9256 Report 28 Jul 2009 22:43

hello Keith :-)
how lovely, no wonder you are proud. well done to you and your wife for searching out and arranging it all. I hope everything goes to plan tomorrow!
Maz. XX

Liz 47

Liz 47 Report 28 Jul 2009 22:49

Congratulations to your Mum, hope she enjoys her special day
Kind regards,
Liz

Researching:
Dad and Aunty Dolly with Grandad WW1

Shirley~I,m getting the hang of it

Shirley~I,m getting the hang of it Report 28 Jul 2009 23:04

Your Mum sounds a very retiring lady who doesnt like to blow her own trumpet as us SE Londoners would say ,She is one of the unsung ladies who where the backbone of WW2 and she is deserving of every thanks and acknowledgment of what she did in WW2
WE owe our freedom to her and others like her so to Keith's MUM thank you .
I was only a kiddy in WW2 in SE London and an evacuee in 1939 and again in 1942 I remember so well the feelng of panic when the air raid warning sirens went
Shirley

Researching:
Surname Fahse. Germany. Essex .South East London My avatar is one of our wedding photos of 1957

Purple **^*Sparkly*^** Diamond

Purple **^*Sparkly*^** Diamond Report 29 Jul 2009 02:47

Well done to your Mum, Keith, and to your wife for finding out about her right to the medal etc. No wonder you are proud of her, a woman with a mission and then a further mission to capture your Dad's heart, bless her.

My Mum would have been thrilled to get the Land Army medal and I am sad she wasn't alive by the time they decided to hand some out. It wasn't as amazing as the work your Mum did, but necessary nevertheless and she would have been chuffed to bits with one.

I hope your Mum enjoys the presentation etc and someone captures it on film for you.

Lizx

KeithInFujairah

KeithInFujairah Report 29 Jul 2009 03:57

Morning all,

The award is being presented by Director of Nursing Services RAF, Group Captain Jackie Gross, and Guy Madley, the Assistant Head of Secretariat 3.

I believe there should be a letter from Camilla for her as well.

Will let you know how it goes later.

JustJean

JustJean Report 29 Jul 2009 06:22

Congratulations to your mum, you must be very proud...


Jean x

SpanishEyes

SpanishEyes Report 29 Jul 2009 06:58

What a great story. Congratulations to your wife for all the research she must have undertaken, And alo a trhank you to your mother for her courage and determination. I hope that the day goes well for all concerned.

What a wonderful story for future members of your family, real family history.

I also am a nurse and it was a nurse who had been active during the war that inspired me to train some 45 years ago.....

I look forward to your post telling us all how the auspicious day went


Bridget

Researching:
Wrenn, Ford, and many others!

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