Tribute to the women of war (From Barry And District News)

Tribute to the women of war

WHEN retired local GP Dr Eileen McGill visited Whitehall to attend the recent unveiling by HM the Queen of the Monument to Women of World War II, it brought back many memories of her time with the Auxiliary Land Army in her native Scotland.

During the summer term, between leaving school and starting her medical studies at Edinburgh University, she was based at Springwells Farm, Berwickshire.

Dr Eileen is a founder member of the Barry and District Club of Soroptimist International, which was started 37 years ago, and she is extremely friendly with another founder member, retired civil servant, Elizabeth Ireland.

By coincidence, Barry-born Miss Ireland was posted to Scotland during the War when, at the tender age of 17, she was billeted at Toblemory on the Isle of Mull for her initial training as a Wren.

She was subsequently posted to HMS Dolphin, the submarine base in Portsmouth where she finished her service.

Dr Eileen said she found the unveiling of the Memorial an extremely moving occasion and that the Monument is a fitting and emotive tribute to the women who served in the War.