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Women of WWII

June 30, 2015   ·   0 Comments

Over 50 people came to pay tribute to four local World War II lady survivors, including a complement of Veterans in full uniform with medals attached. Ed Crewson, friends, family and interested spectators were there as well as Wayne Townsend, former Curator of DCMA, Laura Camelleri, Archivist for DCMA and Judy MacLeod of Quilts of Valour-Dufferin. All spoke of the need to gather information on veterans of a war that Canada entered 75 years ago. The ladies each received a quilt and Joyce Bell also received a Certificate of Recognition and a lapel pin from the Canadian government.

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Victoria Coulter – Spent over 2 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force and achieved the rank of Leading Air Women. Due to her mathematic skill and ability of keep secrets, she spent several years decoding messages from Japan and relaying coded messages to England. She has just celebrated her 101st birthday and has lead a truly remarkable life.

Victoria Coulter – Spent over 2 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force and achieved the rank of Leading Air Women. Due to her mathematic skill and ability of keep secrets, she spent several years decoding messages from Japan and relaying coded messages to England. She has just celebrated her 101st birthday and has lead a truly remarkable life.

Allison Corbett – Better known to everyone as Cookie Corbett. Cookie enlisted in the very first women’s division of the Royal Canadian Air Force. She trained in Toronto, worked in Trenton and then went to Ottawa to become the secretary to a Wing Commander.

Allison Corbett – Better known to everyone as Cookie Corbett. Cookie enlisted in the very first women’s division of the Royal Canadian Air Force. She trained in Toronto, worked in Trenton and then went to Ottawa to become the secretary to a Wing Commander.

Joyce Bell – Enlisted in 1942 at the age of 16 by exaggerating a bit, she, like Princess Elizabeth in England, was part of the Motor Pool, driving dignitaries around. She had her own Jeep and was responsible for maintaining it as well as driving. She could strip down an engine and was awarded a Third Class Mechanics Licence.

Joyce Bell – Enlisted in 1942 at the age of 16 by exaggerating a bit, she, like Princess Elizabeth in England, was part of the Motor Pool, driving dignitaries around. She had her own Jeep and was responsible for maintaining it as well as driving. She could strip down an engine and was awarded a Third Class Mechanics Licence.

Lilly Norris – Not a veteran but a volunteer in England with NAAFI, the organization that provided hospitality and helped the troops overcome the cultural shock they experienced on landing in Britain, she later married and came to Dufferin.  A tireless Legion supporter she was given a quilt by the Dufferin Veteran’s Association for her volunteer service at home and abroad.

Lilly Norris – Not a veteran but a volunteer in England with NAAFI, the organization that provided hospitality and helped the troops overcome the cultural shock they experienced on landing in Britain, she later married and came to Dufferin. A tireless Legion supporter she was given a quilt by the Dufferin Veteran’s Association for her volunteer service at home and abroad.

         

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