For many it would have been an informative trip to the museum, but for Eileen Younghusband, visiting the Bentley Priory on Thursday was an experience of enormous nostalgia.
Bentley Priory
The cause of her visit was for the commemoration of Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding - the man who led the team of officers working with Radar information collected from the stations around Britain's coast to detect enemy fire. The day featured a reveal of the site's recreation of the famous Filter room - where Eileen worked relentlessly during WW2 when detecting enemy V2 rockets headed for Britain. She was accompanied by eight other WAAF veterans as part of the event's VIP guests.
The unveiling of the Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding statuette
The Filter Room was of vital importance to the outcome of the Battle of Britain, with the air-raid warnings a direct result of the WAAF's work in calculating the necessary information to detect where and when potential attacks were to occur.
However, the day was made even more significant due to the attendance of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
Eileen was able to share a few moments of chatter with Prince Charles, speaking about her experiences of the war. In a bizarre reflection of history, they were surrounded by commemorative bronze statues of the various members who worked in the Filter Room - one of which was modelled after Eileen herself. She spoke of the Prince of Wales in high regard, stating that he had "a great sense of humour."
Eileen's statue proudly stands as the display's centrepiece
Ultimately, the event took place in order to acknowledge the secret efforts made to ensure the protection of Britain. Speaking of the day, Eileen says "For me, it was sadness and joy mixed together - remembering the dedication and comradeship of my fellow WAAF no longer here, but also reliving those days of struggle and hard work. It was a unique day and one which I will never forget."
Candy Jar has joined forces
with Fairwater Library to celebrate ‘World Book Night’ on 23rd April
with a special author signing at Fairwater Library. The event, which features
two of Candy Jar’s top authors, Eileen Younghusband and Barbara Pontin, is
expected to be popular with local residents.
First
to appear will be former WAAF, Eileen Younghusband, who has written her memoirs
of WW2, entitled One Woman’s War.
The book reveals the truth
about the forgotten wartime women, barely out of their teens, who were employed
for this critical job because they were quicker than men. It also has
contributions from Dame Vera Lynn and Emma Soames. Emma Soames, who is Winston
Churchill’s granddaughter and editor-at-large at Saga Magazine, believes that
this story must be heard. She says: “It is excellent to be reminded what a
great debt we owe to this group of brave, dedicated young women who, in a
highly charged and stressful situation, where time was of the essence, did so
much to save our country from destruction.
Now
in her 91st year,
Eileen has appeared on
BBC Radio Wales, BBC Breakfast, and has contributed to a documentary series "WW2: The Last Heroes”. She has also been in talks with a production
company about turning aspects of her life into a drama series.
For 83-year-old Barbara
Pontin it is almost like coming home. She worked in the Fairwater Library for
twenty years and is excited to be returning as a published author. Barbara
began writing her book, Merlys, in her early forties. She says: “With a family
to look after it became increasingly difficult to devote my time to the book,
and although I did have some interest from Hollywood, I put the manuscript away
and forgot about it.”
Early in 2011 Barbara came
across the 40-year-old manuscript and decided to breathe new life into the 18th
century story of murder, anguish and love across the Welsh valleys. She
continues: “I wanted my story to reach as many people as possible, so I
contacted Candy Jar Books in Cardiff. They were very supportive, but did
encourage me to start the book with a shock. I don’t think they expected it to
be so blood-curdling though.”
Barbara is quietly pleased by
the reaction to the pre-release of Merlys. Mischievously she says: “My friends have been very
shocked by this book. They didn’t know that I had it in me. Most thought butter
would not melt in my mouth. It has been fun to prove them wrong!”
Shaun Russell, director at
Candy Jar Books, is very proud of Eileen and Barbara. He says: “At Candy Jar we
like to support new talent. Barbara Pontin’s Merlys is quite a brave book. It
takes romantic fiction into a slightly gruesome world of wreckers and
highwaymen. On the other hand, Eileen Younghusband’s One Woman’s War describes
WW2 in considerable detail. It is an important account of women’s contribution
to the Allied victory in 1945. Eileen's story is an inspiration to us all.”
Eileen
Younghusband will be at Fairwater Library between 11am-1pm, with Barbara Pontin
there between 2pm- 4pm.
One Woman's War is out now. Merlys will be released in August.
The BBC is hoping to make a documentary about the
work of the Filter Room – part of Fighter Command, during World War II. They
already have some excellent potential interviewees and archive footage. However
they need some help finding the programme's presenter.
As such, they are looking for a well-known woman with a mother or grandmother in the
WAAF. Are you an actor, presenter or journalist with such a background?
Or are you a WAAF veteran who has a famous relation in the media. If you can help please contact Dina Mufti on 02920322143 or 07976 599212
