Edinburgh AOW Remembers Bombed WWII Wrens

On this day in 1940, German airplanes attacked the South Coast whilst 24 Wrens had gathered for dinner in the dining room of Mansfield House, Lee on the Solent (HMS Daedalus) when an anti-aircraft shell hit the dining room directly and exploded. 10 Wrens lost their lives: Wren Rosa Armstrong (36), Wren Joyce Bennett (19), Wren Mona Black (23), Wren Winnie Blackett (19), Wren Vera Cowie (18), LWren Nellie Gregory (32), Wren Beryl Northfield (19), LWren Hilda Pearson (26), Wren Nora Reynolds (23), Wren Dorothy Wardell (22).

8 were laid to rest in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery and a plaque remains today on the site of Mansfield Hostel, donated by the Gosport Aviation Society in 1996.

Edinburgh and District AOW remembered these Wrens with a lovely short Service at Port Edgar (HMS LOCHINVAR).

#NavyWomen

We Will Remember Them