Page 25 - QARANC Vol 15 No 2 2017

Women at War 100 Ceremony
– A Personal Account
A chance remark on Facebook saw Jan Foster and I at the National Memorial Arboretum on 7 July for the Drumhead service to commemorate the centenary of Women at War.
As we arrived at the NMA it was obvious from the hundreds of servicewomen in uniform that we were part of something very special. As far as the eye could see were serving personnel of all three services, veterans proudly wearing their Corps colours, and standing out in the vast crowd, former members of the ATS.
Prior to the service we had the opportunity to mingle and meet with fellow Corps members and reminisce about ‘the good old days’. It was interesting speaking to serving members of the QARANC and comparing the difference in the training of today to that I undertook 41 years ago - don’t know if I would pass muster in today’s Army!
Listening to the stories and memories of members of the ATS made me realise they were pioneers of their day and how far the Women’s Services have come. As we made our way to the main arena where the service was to be held, we were handed a poppy tribute cross, which I later planted at the QARANC memorial.
The service went without a hitch and I must admit, thanks to the music from Women of the Tri Service Military Band, we sang our hearts out and were in fine voice.
As the Last Post sounded, I can remember thinking to myself ‘did my years service really play a very small part in the history we are here commemorating today’?
After the service we all enjoyed a superb reception lunch, with lots of laughter, plenty of photo shoots and reflections on the day’s events.
Regardless of the colour of our uniform or our cap badge, each and everyone of us stood proud, shoulder to shoulder - Sisters in Arms.
I felt very humbled and honoured to have been part of this special occasion, and the memory will live with me always.
Gaynor Webster
Col Alison McCourt, Gaynor Webster and Jan Foster with ATS ladies
THE GAZETTE QARANC 23
Gaynor Webster and Jan Foster at 100 Ceremony
Gaynor Webster and Jan Foster