The Royal British Legion Ceremony

The Royal British Legion

Ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum Friday 7 July 2017

The Royal British Legion 4 5 A CENTURY OF WOMEN AT WAR

In 1917, Britain — in the midst of World War One — faced a severe shortage of manpower. For the previous two and a half years women had undertaken essential work on the home front, and had served overseas with independent organisations, such as the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, demonstrating their value.

With the approval of the British Army’s Commander-in-Chief, General Douglas Haig, the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was formed in March 1917 and officially instituted five months later by Army Council Instruction Number 1069, dated 7th July 1917. Women were enrolled into the British Army for the first time in such jobs as cooks, clerks, drivers, mechanics, telephonists and telegraphers.

Renamed the Queen Mary Army Auxiliary Corps in April 1918, over 57,000 women served in the Corps before it was disbanded in 1921. During the war five members of the Corps were awarded the Military Medal and 82 women died in service.

The formation of the WAAC was followed in November 1917 by the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) and the Women’s Royal Air Force (WRAF) in April 1918. Their members were the first of many thousands of women to serve the Crown on military operations over the past 100 years up till the present day.

Although disbanded in the 1920s, the three Women’s Services were reformed on the eve of World War Two: the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) on 9th September 1938; the Women’s Royal Naval Service in April 1939 and the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) in June 1939.

6 A CENTURY OF WOMEN AT WAR

Nearly 500,000 women served during the conflict in varied roles including air mechanics and torpedo women, staffing the Bletchley Park codebreaking centre, and as SOE operatives behind enemy lines.

After performing such vital tasks in World War Two, the three services were made permanent in 1949. The ATS was renamed the Women’s Royal Army Corps and the WAAF became WRAF once more. The WRAC, WRNS and WRAF would subsequently take on more roles, becoming more integrated with their male counterparts. WRACs served during the troubles in Northern Ireland and at Port Stanley immediately after the Falklands War. Women from all three Services served on Operation Granby during the 1991 Gulf War.

The early 1990s marked a significant change with the full amalgamation of women into the British Armed Forces. By the early 2000s, with the exception of frontline service, the majority of roles in the Armed Forces were open to women. The Iraq and Afghanistan Campaigns saw women deployed to the frontline in critical support functions, and several won gallantry awards.

In 2016, the MOD lifted the ban on women in ground close-combat roles and the first tranche are already in training prior to joining their Regiments and Battalions. Within 100 years, women have been fully integrated into the British Armed Forces.

by Elizabeth Shipton Author of Female Tommies

7 PARTICIPANTS

The ceremony will be led by Reverend (Wing Commander) Ruth Hake MBE.

Music will be provided by a Tri Service Military Band under the direction of Captain Lauren Petritz- Watts (CAMUS).

Today’s readers are Vice President and Chairman of Trustees, WRAC Association, Colonel Alison Brown (retd.), Cadet Warrant Officer Amy Watson, Senior Nursing Officer Nicci Pugh and Afghanistan Veteran and poet Jo Young.

Poppies will be laid at the Drumhead by Captain Alison Hofman (RN), Major General Susan Ridge (Army), Air Vice Marshal Alison Mardell (RAF), Commandant Kim McCutcheon (FANY – on behalf of the Civilian Services), Clare Pillman (Director - Culture, Tourism and Sport, Department for Culture, Media and Sport) and Mrs. Una Cleminson (National Vice Chairman, The Royal British Legion).

8 ORDER OF CEREMONY

9 ORDER OF CEREMONY

MUSIC FROM THE TRI SERVICE MILITARY BAND

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION Reverend (Wing Commander) Ruth Hake MBE

DRUMHEAD ASSEMBLY

LETTERS OF ELIZABETH JOHNSTON (WAAC) read by Colonel Alison Brown (retd.)

Letter home on first arriving in France, January 1918

“Life in the Army isn’t just a “Home from Home,” as the popular advertisement has it, but we do not expect it to be, and are prepared for hardships. The mud is terrible, and since it is so bad here, it helps us to realise how unspeakable are the conditions further up the line. It is only after we are out here that we fully comprehend how much we have given up. However, no one grouses, soldiers don’t, do they? The plan is to accept everything just as it comes along and make the best of the very worst. And to win through, it is essential to see the joke always. The cold was intense the first week we came here.

10 Indeed it was so bad we couldn’t get to sleep, and one memorable morning at 4 o’clock two of us who were subjected to extreme fresh air treatment, had to get up and shake melted snow from the top of our blankets, and replace them with our greatcoats. I patched the hole above my head, but could do nothing with the other one, so its shivering occupant shared my cot till morning and lay awake joking about life in the army, until Reveille.”

Letter home, April 1918

“You can’t know how splendid the girls are here; they might be war-torn veterans, so cool are they, nobody gets the “wind up.” You couldn’t excite them if you tried. They refuse to take any notice of the Boche’s attempts at strafing. We have been asked if we are willing to give up our beds. “Signals” gave them up right away; we are to be given wooden beds now, about a foot from the floor. Also, a notice has been posted up asking for the names of girls who are willing to devote their spare time to hospital work. All our names are already down. So our days off are booked now, and we are all looking forward to lending a hand soon. I wouldn’t be out of this for all the pearls of the South Seas. I shall always be glad I was in this, and have no regrets; indeed I’d gladly put up with a lot more, rather than be out of it.”

11 SPECIAL OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE LETTER, NOVEMBER 1942

by Cadet Warrant Officer Amy Watson

The Ministry of Labour and National Security have been approached by one of the Sections in the Government engaged in most confidential work, to assist them in recruiting women. The War Office agree that the work in question is important, they suggest that we should not dissent from finding the women wanted for this organisation. They ask, however, that we should not submit girls in the conscription ages and under 25 for work other than as Wireless Operators.

In the case of the Wireless Operators, they are quite convinced that a number of very young girls are required because of the arduous nature of the work. It has been agreed that girls of seventeen and upwards are accepted particularly those with good educational background because they are very well able to learn this work. While experience is naturally an advantage, it is not essential and applicants with no experience will be accepted and trained provided that they appear to be the right type and are willing and mentally alert. Experience has shown that it is nearly always essential for applicants for Wireless Operators to be young if they are to reach the required standard of proficiency.

12 Please stand

I VOW TO THEE MY COUNTRY

I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above, Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love: The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test, That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best; The love that never falters, the love that pays the price, The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there's another country, I've heard of long ago, Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know; We may not count her armies, we may not see her King; Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering; And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase, And her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.

Please be seated

read by Senior Nursing Officer Nicci Pugh

“In April 1982, when Argentina invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands, I was working as an Operating Theatre Sister at Royal Naval Hospital Haslar in Gosport. Teams were immediately selected with specific nursing qualifications: experience of operating theatres, intensive care units – and in the treatment of burns; the latter proved to be of major importance.

Our team of Royal Naval medics and 40 female QARNNS personnel were assigned to a hospital ship. At that time, women in the Naval Service did not serve at sea. As in all emergencies, rules can change rapidly.

The group was flown in a Hercules down to Gibraltar where we joined our ship – the SS Uganda that had been requisitioned from P&O, and until then had been used as an educational cruise vessel. She was quickly converted into a military hospital ship - Her Majesty’s Hospital Ship (HMHS) Uganda. A steel helicopter pad was fitted to the stern, while inside there were approximately 600 beds.

By the time we arrived at Ascension Island the ship had been transformed, but none of us expected the hospital facilities to be used. Soon after leaving Ascension HMS Sheffield was sunk; initially survivors were taken on board HMS Hermes where they received urgent initial care. It suddenly became obvious to us all that we were needed, and that we were going to be used.

16 On arriving in the combat zone, we steamed straight into Falkland Sound to start receiving casualties. In spite of our Red Cross markings, there were obviously times when we felt apprehensive. The ship seemed to act as a beacon for the Argentinian pilots targeting other ships in the Sound. Meanwhile, we continued to treat many severely burned patients in need of critical care. Our ship ventured daily into the Sound, receiving casualties from dressing stations and battlefields ashore.

Some of us had previously worked in major trauma units, so were able to train and advise other nurses who had not been confronted with such severe injuries before. Later, our battlefield patients arrived with wounds caused by shrapnel, mortars or bullets. Again, not everyone had witnessed injuries like this but another colleague had worked in the Royal Victoria, Belfast during the Northern Ireland Troubles so was able to provide invaluable advice and training.

Many of us learned on the job, including coping with our three-tabled makeshift operating theatre moving up and down in the choppy South Atlantic swell, with the ship being buffeted by the notorious winds. We soon found ways of restraining our instruments and anaesthetic machines. There were times, during a delicate piece of surgery when the merchant navy crew was asked to turn the ship into wind, to reduce movement.

The ship’s helipad saved many lives by reducing casualty evacuation times. It allowed us to move patients directly from other ships and the battlefields. The air attacks on the Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram created an extremely tense time: all personnel were on full alert to expect a lot of burns cases. It was a frenetic, exhausting period, split into watches for 24-hour care.

Looking back after 35 years, I think we all see it as a huge privilege to have been able to help those courageous men who were so badly injured at sea, on land and in the air. We still feel quietly proud of our achievements, working so far from home, and to have served on board our floating hospital helping the wounded servicemen throughout the Falklands Conflict.”

17 ‘PACKING UP AN INJURED FEMALE’S BED-SPACE’ BY JO YOUNG

read by Jo Young

Her mosquito net is a bower below the fairy-light garland, NCIS, The Wire and Girls are dominoed in their box-Sets alongside a sand-degraded tablet in a fake Mulberry cover. Her issue sleeping-bag discarded, and in its place a thin, pink, NAAFI-bought duvet – its filling synthetic. That slumbering act of wrapping (not zipping) means home.

A malicious day and the eye sore vehicle patrol crawled home. Transporters heaved their bellies over abrasive land. Their sleepy boredom was snapped awake by a kinetic assault; dismounting while Valon operators inspected a box beside the littered track and a chalked X marking the place where gunmen had planned to maroon them, stripped of cover. Her comrades are skittish yet rebuoyed to discover the airborne patchwork will hold fast until she gets home. And for now, their task is to quietly gather and place her toiletries, photos and Grazias, which she never planned to be cargo and are unfit for inspection, into a box overseen by a sergeant who is brusquely sympathetic.

Time-funnelled horror as the spectra of electromagnetic responses blistered and crackled; cohesion emerged and cover was sought; grids and casualties’ staccato codes filled the box of templated response, imitating memory; drills perfected at home for months before they shrugged on their packs, shouldered this land and woke so early to air-con, bewildered by the suddenness of a new place.

18 The girls are chat-hungry. The internet lockdown is in place until her next-of kin are informed of the injuries by an officer prophetic of surgery, pain and physio; fully trained to deliver the news to family in England. He’ll translate terror and mental trenches and the coming fight to recover, into something which medals, parades and Harry will adapt for a home audience. Testimonies for when there is nothing better on the box.

She is strapped and tubed (not shattered and gathered in a lying box), and wonders about her trainers; can her Tag Heuer be replaced? The girls she misses and the boys who guiltily avoid visiting will follow home and applaud her, raise money as she marathons on her prosthetic leg and is invited to talk on Women’s Hour. For now they fold and uncover, those trainers and a bikini and lotion for the tan she had planned.

Her friends tape up the box holding her blithe, cosmetic adjustments which made this place, with selfies and a cushion cover, into something like home. She flies out and the pilot is gentle as he comes in to land.

19 Please stand

ABIDE WITH ME

Poppies will be laid during the final verse

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide When other helpers fail and comforts flee Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away Change and decay in all around I see O Thou who changest not, abide with me

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee In life, in death, o Lord, abide with me

This final verse of Abide with Me was repeated by Edith Cavell in her interview with an English chaplain a few hours before her execution on the 12th October 1915.

20 Please remain standing for the Act of Remembrance

THE EXHORTATION

read by Mrs. Una Cleminson, National Vice Chairman, The Royal British Legion

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning We will remember them.

(All) We will remember them.

LAST POST Only Officers to salute

TWO MINUTES SILENCE

REVEILLE

KOHIMA When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today.

Please be seated for the recovery of the Drums

21 Please stand

NATIONAL ANTHEM

God save our gracious Queen, Long live our noble Queen, God save The Queen! Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us, God save The Queen!

Standards depart to the WRAC March. Poppies moved to the Armed Forces Memorial. Refreshments are served in the Reception.

YOUR OWN ACT OF REMEMBRANCE

At the end of the Reception The Royal British Legion volunteers will be distributing Woman at War 100 Poppy Tributes. We encourage guests to plant these at one of the memorials to women's service that can be found throughout the National Memorial Arboretum site.

You can find a map of these memorials on the final pages of this programme.

EXHIBITION

Adjacent to the Remembrance Centre there is a photographic exhibition charting 100 years of Women at War – which is also marked on the site map. This exhibition was commissioned by the Royal British Legion and is supported by the National Memorial Arboretum.

22 THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR

The Royal British Legion is at the heart of a national network that supports our Armed Forces community through thick and thin – ensuring their unique contribution is never forgotten.

The Legion is also the national custodian of Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant between the nation and its Armed Forces. It is well known for the annual Poppy Appeal, and its emblem the red poppy.

OUR COMMUNITY

As the country’s largest Armed Forces charity, we couldn’t be prouder of our national network of 220,000 members and over 100,000 volunteers. Without their passion and dedication, the support we offer Service men and women, veterans and their families would not be possible.

We also work with many partners and other charities to direct support wherever and whenever it’s needed, so we can help everyone who approaches us.

23 MEMORIALS FOR WOMEN'S SERVICE AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM The National Memorial Arboretum, part of The Royal British Legion, is the UK's year-round centre of Remembrance. The expansive 150-acre site is centrally located and features over 300 thought-provoking memorials, nestled amongst lush and maturing woodland. Military and civilian associations are represented alongside tributes for individuals. Rich in design and symbolism, and sympathetic 9 to the landscape they inhabit, the memorials and their fascinating stories are 21 waiting to be discovered. 18

13 6 16 5 Event Area 3 14 7 2 20 4

Exhibition 12 11 17 19 Remembrance 11 8 Auxiliary Territorial Service / Ack Ack Centre 9 Vera Atkins 8 10 Women’s Auxiliary Service – The Chinthe Women 1 11 War Widows' Wood/Rose Garden 12 Auxiliary Territorial Service 13 Women's Section, The Royal British Legion 14 Voluntary Aid Detachment 10 1 Women’s Royal Army Corps 15 Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps 2 Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps 16 Girls Venture Corps 3 Queen Alexandra’s Naval Nursing Service 17 Church Lads' & Church Girls' Brigade 4 Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service 18 Women’s Institute The memorials and buildings indicated on this map are for illustrative 5 19 purposes only and are not drawn to scale. First Aid Nursing Yeomanry Inner Wheel Grove 6 Women’s Royal Naval Service 20 Soroptimist International Photography: We welcome photography for personal use, unless otherwise stated, across our site. 7 Woman’s Auxiliary Air Force 21 Trefoil Guild

24 MEMORIALS FOR WOMEN'S SERVICE AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM The National Memorial Arboretum, part of The Royal British Legion, is the UK's year-round centre of Remembrance. The expansive 150-acre site is centrally located and features over 300 thought-provoking memorials, nestled amongst lush and maturing woodland. Military and civilian associations are represented alongside tributes for individuals. Rich in design and symbolism, and sympathetic 9 to the landscape they inhabit, the memorials and their fascinating stories are 21 waiting to be discovered. 18

13 6 16 5 Event Area 3 14 7 2 20 4

25 100 YEARS OF WOMEN AT WAR

1910s The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) became the British Army’s first all-female unit 1940s Introduction of the 'Land Girls Charter' entitled women to one week's holiday per year and 1970s raised the minimum wage The first female entrants are admitted to RAF College, Cranwell and trained 1990s alongside men WRNS disbanded and 4,535 women integrated into Royal Navy. Women are permitted to serve on HM Ships at sea, all 2000s ranks and rates The first woman to receive the Military Cross

Visit our website to see the full timeline, discover how the role of women in the Armed Forces has developed over the last 100 years and learn about women who pushed the boundaries, like many women here today.

rbl.org/women100

Registered charity number: 219279 Colour adjusted Q 54089