Shaking hands with Lady Naysmith

I joined the Wrens on the 16th May 1941, my 21st birthday. I was stationed at Glynn House, there were approximately 80 of us, plus we had the Royal Marines guarding us.

I was promoted in 1943 from a Wren to a Leading Wren, then to a Petty Officer.

Lady Mountbatten inspected one of the parades and the Commander-in-Chief’s wife, Lady Naysmith shook hands with me.

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Becky Barugh of the BBC Radio Shropshire CSV Action Desk on behalf of Joy Ellery-Bowater and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

See more of Joy's stories and photographs:

• Behold the Dawn
• Sticky paper to make a window
• The front of the programme — Behold the Dawn
• Inside the programme
• Former Wrens
• We entertained the troops
• All-singing, all dancing
• Marching through Bodmin
• On yer bike

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