Kate Bosley's Poppy Story

Kate Bosley dedicates her poppies to her Aunt, Maud Allen.

Maud was born in India in 1913, just a year before the conflict began, and when India was still part of the British Empire. She was one of eight children and was spolt by her sister, brothers and servants.

Kate Bosley's childhood memories of her Aunt Maud are a glimpse of times past; a glamorous lady with red nail polish, who wore silk bed jackets, who enjoyed boxes of fudge from Harrods at Christmas and who ate breakfast in bed!

To her nieces and nephews, great nieces and sister-in-law, she was someone whom they held in awe. She passed onto Kate her love of music and theatre, taking her to see 'My Fair Lady' when she was 16. She also taught her the importance of travelling with a Thermos Flask and how to cook rice in a hay box!

There was, however, much more to Aunt Maud!

She qualified as a nurse in 1936 and became a 'FANY' (First Aid Nursing Yeomany). The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry was a British independent all-female registered charity formed in 1907 and active in nursing and intelligence work during both World Wars. She was commissioned in 1939 and held a permanent commission until 1951. She served in the Middle East including Syria, in North Africa including Egypt and Libya, in the Western Desert, in East Africa, in Sudan and in Greece.

It was during her service in Greece that she earned her commendation for an act of gallantry and during which she was mentioned in Despatches; her name appearing in an official report which was sent to High Command and then published in the London Gazette. She was awarded the War Medal + Star and was entitled to wear the Oak Leaf.

Whilst serving in Greece, she refused to leave her patients, and she and they were evacuated to Crete; Crete then fell. Enlisting the help of the Australian Navy, a Resistance Group arranged their evacuation from the island, moving them under the cover of darkness.

After the conflict, Maud was unable to face any more blood and horror so she nursed for a time in an Officers' Convalescent Home before taking up the post of Chief Welfare Officer for the East End of London, a post she held until her retirement.

Kate knows that she and her cousins feel proud of her and feel the country owe a huge debt of gratitude to her and to her kind.

Completed poppies for the 'Armistice Wall of Poppies Project' should be delivered to any WI member or to the WI President, Sue Gamble at 14 Barnfield, off Covert Rise, 01829 772659