- Contributed by听
- newcastlecsv
- People in story:听
- Bess Nolan
- Location of story:听
- Mombasa & Durban, South Africa; Liverpool, UK
- Background to story:听
- Royal Navy
- Article ID:听
- A5275497
- Contributed on:听
- 23 August 2005
Bess followed her father into the Royal Navy when she became a Wren in 1940. After initial training she became a specialist in de-gauzing techniques to counteract the devastating effects of magnetic mines. In 1942 she sailed with 40 other Wrens on the SS Stirling Castle bound for Mombasa, together with over 4000 troops on board. Their convoy was attacked by U-boats, and several ships were sunk.
When they eventually arrived in Durban they were greeted by the famous "lady in white", who led the singing of "Land of Hope and Glory".
Bess's skills were in great demand and she was gicen a South African passport and VIP transport to Mombasa.
Two and a half years later, Bess, by now a Petty Officer, led a Wren's contigent in the victory parade in Liverpool.
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