Airborne Ambulance WW2

[bumblebee]

I wonder if any one saw a programme last week, on morning television (england) on which two ladies were talking about their time with the airborne ambulance brigade? in WW2, they were receiving some kind of award.

My mother in law watched this programme and as she was a nurse with the airborne ambulances it has obviously triggered a lot of memories for her, she has asked us if it would be possible for her to claim her medals as she never did at the time. She is now in her 80's and in poor health.

She said she did not think she could claim her medals as she "no longer has her logbooks and cannot remember her number" I don't think she would need her logbooks but can any one help point us in the right direction.

She said they flew into France and Belgium etc bringing home the wounded men, once home they were taken to Swindon hospital.

Any pointers gratefully received.

Bumblebee (and Lincoln Lad who's mum it is)

[bumblebee]

I have finally found this on the BBC website,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7688079.stm

Which details the two ladies and their awards, Keith's mum was a 'Flying Nightingale',

I am going to see if I can find out who to write to as it would be lovely if she could be recognised also.

Bumblebee

[bumblebee]

I just thought I would put an update to this thread - I managed to track down the people who dealt with the Lifetime Achievement Awards which were presented by the Duchess of Cornwall to 'The Flying Nightingales' - the nurses of the Airborne Ambulance Brigade. They have been very kind and helpful.

Lincoln Lad's mum will indeed be receiving her 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for her part in the rescue and evacuation of wounded soldiers from behind enemy lines.

She flew in Dakota's out of Down Ampney. (aged 17-her service records show she added a year to her age on enlistment) They were not allowed a parachute as they were expected to 'go down with the wounded who were in their care'.

We are very proud of her and look forward to the award being presented. She is also hopefully going to receive her war medals at the same time which she did not collect at the time.

Bumblebee

[Browneyes]

No wonder you are proud. |hug|

There are a number of sites to do with the airborne ambulance units accessible through google - if you know which unit she was attached to you might come across old photos. Happy to help if need be (depending on the lady's permission of course.)

[Waitabit]

Please give your Mother-in-law a hug for me. What a wonderful service they gave.

I love Dakotas but no luxury flying there. :)

[bumblebee]

Thank you Browneyes and Waitabit. We are just waiting to hear when the presentation will be - we think it will be May or June.

It is lovely that these ladies get the recognition that they all deserve.

Bumblebee

[Lincoln Lad]

Hi all, my brilliant wife Gedcom has produced the goods by her detective work! I am extremely proud the the work my mother did, until the programme, she did not really talk about it.
I am hoping to be able to get home for a couple of days once we know when the presentation is going to be so there may well be a party |5cups|

[Lincoln Lad]

Ooops wrong board name, of course my wife is Bumblebee not Gedcom! |oopsredfa|oopsredfa|oopsredfa

[bumblebee]

Thank you Astoria, will pass on congratulations.

Bumblebee

[Browneyes]

Lincoln Lad! :eek: :D

|hug| Bumblebee...

[Lincoln Lad]

|oopsredfa|oopsredfa I have a lot of humble pie to eat |oopsredfa|oopsredfa

[bumblebee]

|nutkick|from Bumblebee to Lincoln Lad.... |scold|

|hug| from Bumblebee to Browneyes.

Babooshka formerly Bumblebee late Gedcom

|jumphappy

[Browneyes]

:D Well the boo boo certainly made me giggle

I do think though that Lincoln Lad summed it up well when he said:

"Hi all, my brilliant wife [BUMBLEBEE] has produced the goods by her detective work! I am extremely proud the the [notice the stutter... nerves already? :D] work my mother did, until the programme, she did not really talk about it.
I am hoping to be able to get home for a couple of days once we know when the presentation is going to be so there may well be a party |5cups|

Hope a good day will be had by all. |hug|

[Lincoln Lad]

Well my mums presentation has finally been arranged. Well done Bumblebee.

Mum is having the award presented to her at home on Wednesday next week (29th). The Director of Nursing Services RAF will be making the presentation. They would have liked to have the BBC involved, but my mother did not want them to attend. The BBC are doing a comparison documentary between bringing home the troops in WW2 and Iraq and would like to have interviewed mum. The local paper (Blackpool Gazette) have been asked to attend but again, I think mum wont be keen on that.

Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the presentation, I cannot get back. But Bumblebee will be.

[Lincoln Lad]

Contacted Mum this afternoon, she was absolutely overwhelmed, 30 odd people in a small front room, radio interview for Radio Lancashire and interview for local paper. She informed me she was presented with "A Florence Nightingale statue, a medal, I don't know what for (it was her war medal) and a letter from Camilla Parker Bowles that I have not read yet"

According to Bumblebee, it was a fantastic presentation and mum did well coping.

The interview will be on BBC Radio Lancashire online after 5pm tonight and available for replay after 8pm tonight. I will be listening online.