I am an amateur historian whose main interest is in researching women's lives and roles in WW1. I am delighted to have been gifted by a fellow historian, Laurence Manton, several medals and badges relating to my speciality. I've been researching for nearly 20 years and have never had one in my possesion! I now have several and cannot wait to research the women's lives. The first woman I am researching was awarded a medal for her work in the WAACs.
Florence Gwendoline Davies was born on 20th November 1894 in Cardiff to Thomas John and Emily Davies. According to her baptism record, Thomas was a "brakesman" - I believe this to be a job related to the railway. Florence left school at 14 and after leaving, she worked at Spillers and Bakers before leaving to become a waitress at the Grand Hotel in Cardiff. We know this because her records show that she obtained references from these institutions.
Spillers building in Cardiff
https://glamarchives.wordpress.com/2018/01/26/spillers-and-bakers-ltd-cardiff/
Mrs Rosser, who was the manager of the Grand and who wrote her reference was involved in a fire at the hotel in 1908.One night in January 1908 the manager, Mrs Rosser, realised at 3.30am
that the hotel’s bar was on fire. Her daughter Lilian, aged 6, (pictured below with her mother) was one of 10 people on the third floor who
could not escape as smoke billowed up the staircase. The fire brigade
rescued them all through the upper windows.
Florence married William Gray in 1915. I know that he served overseas as
it is noted on her records that he is serving in Egypt. I have been
unable to trace his service records. She left her employment at the hotel and joined the Women's Army Auxilliary Corps in October 1917. Her records include her application, medical records, references etc The records, along with 1000s of other women's are available free and online on the National Archives site.
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/womens-army-auxiliary-corps-service-records-1917-1920/
Part of Florence's records
Florence enlisted on 4th October 1917. Although deemed medically fit at this time, she was discharged from the service on 23rd May 1918. Her records show that she was suffering from "general debility". She only weighed 7stone 10lbs on enlisting so seems to have been quite slight. She received her medal a few months later with this message:
"The Badge will be worn on the right breast or right lapel of the jacket, but not on naval or military uniform"
Florence Gwendoline Gray's medal
For lots more information on women's roles and lives in WW1 visit my dedicated FB page. Lots of info and photos!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1468972083412699
What happened to Florence after the War? Florence and William had four children. They seem to have moved around England, with various addresses in London and Kent. William, like his father in law, worked on the railways. His occupation in 1939 was Railway Signal and Telegraph operator. Maybe he learned these skills when serving in Egypt? (The 1939 register shows that he volunteered as a Railway ARP warden. ). Florence died in 1981.
Sadly tragedy had struck her family during WW2. Her daughter, Edna Muriel, married Kenneth Hayman in January 1944. Kenneth was a Flying Officer-Navigator with 78 Sqdn.Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve;Service No:153006. He died on a night raid in France in June 1944. He was 22. They had been married for just 5 months.
His brother, aged 29, also fell:Senior Assistant Engineer Officer Harold John Hayman . died on October 9th 1942 whilst serving in the Merchant Navy~S.S.
Oronsay (Glasgow) - The War to End all Wars that Florence and William served in and lived through had been a dream.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56199760/kenneth_charles_morris-hayman
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