Gloria Hudson (nee Thompson) –known as ‘Bobbie’ in the Wrens

Gloria was born on the 6th December 1925 in Newport, South Wales.

She was in the Wrens from 1944 – 1949

1944 – She started as a Boats Crew Wren stationed at HMS Drake in Plymouth and HMS Dartmouth in Dartmouth.

1945 – At the end of the war when Boats Crew was disbanded she served at Burghfield, Reading (Royal Fleet Mail). Then when Royal Fleet Mail department closed she changed position again to become a Naval Air Woman and became a ‘Link Trainer Operator’ with the Fleet Air Arm at HMS Nuthatch.

Mum always said how much she loved the camaraderie in the Wrens especially in those early years.

In 1949 she left the Wrens and joined the Merchant Navy so she could travel the world. She had several different roles in the Merchant Navy though primarily worked as a Cabin Stewardess. Her first ship was the MV La Cordillera. She also served on the New Australia on its maiden voyage taking people and families to Australia (£10 Poms ship).  She served/worked on many different ships from 1949 to 1962. From 1960 – 1962 she served on The Troopships – Oxfordshire, Dunera and Devonshire.

Gloria resided in Southampton since leaving the Merchant Navy in 1962 when she got married to Wilfred (Bill) Hudson (a Boson in the merchant seaman). She met Bill on the deck of the Athlone Castle.  They settled in Southampton to be near to a major Port and had two children – Joy and Mark.  She was later Widowed in 1992

        

Gloria regularly attended the Association of Wrens meetings (Southampton Branch) and went on many outings and reunions with them for as long as I can remember and she loved being a part of this. She was very sad when the branch closed due to declining numbers as members grew older and had health issues meaning they could not attend regularly.  She regularly attended ceremonies and Anniversaries at Holy Rood Church in Southampton, at Romsey Abbey and the Cenotaph in Southampton. She marched nearly every year on November 11th with the other ex Wrens who were able to do so. She was still doing this into her mid 90’s when everything stopped due to the pandemic. She felt this was her duty to help ensure people remembered the sacrifices made during the war. She was both proud and humbled to be able to represent the Wrens on these occasions.

           

Mum went on several Wren reunion holidays up until her early to mid 90’s so it is possible that a few of your readers may remember her.

Mum was always a very kind, caring generous spirited person and mother and was and continues to be greatly loved and cherished by her family. Up until her mid 90’s mum was still getting up very early each day throughout the spring and summer months and would spend hours in her garden which was a source of joy for her. She was a keen gardener loving to create a garden full of colour and scent to attract birds and other wildlife.

         

   

Gloria next to a painting of her in the wrens.

Tribute written by: Joy Hudson – Daughter