Linda Nancy Raby (née Pardon)     Died 21 October 2025, aged 76.

Following in the footsteps of her dad, who served as a young man in the Royal Navy during WWII, Linda joined the WRNS in 1966 at the age of 17.  She served until 1972, achieving the rank of Petty Officer.

After initial training at HMS Dauntless, Burghfield, she went on to train at the signals school, HMS Mercury, Petersfield.  As a trained radio operator she had two UK-based postings, firstly at HMS Seahawk (RNAS Culdrose, Helston) and then at HMS Neptune (Faslane, Helensburgh).  These were accompanied by overseas postings, in Mauritius and then in Malta, as Petty Officer Wren Radio Supervisor.

Linda’s departure from Malta coincided with the downsizing of the British naval presence on the island in 1972.  Many years later she revisited the Lascaris War Rooms (now a museum) in Valletta, Malta, and was warmly greeted when they learned she had worked in the Comcen there, nearly 50 years previously.  Her service in the WRNS was a source of pride throughout her life and she attended reunions whenever she could.

On leaving the WRNS she married, raised two sons and eventually became the grandmother of three girls.  Lin’s family was important to her. As well as being a loving mum and grandma, she enjoyed many gatherings and celebrations with her extended family.

Linda was a capable and resourceful person, with good organisational skills.  Over the years she was employed in various lines of work before ultimately retraining and starting her own business as a “Foot health specialist.”

In the course of Linda’s life she moved home quite a lot and made good friendships up and down the country.  After leaving the WRNS she lived for a year or two in the Netherlands before returning with her family to the UK.  After initially setting up home in Shropshire she subsequently added Lancashire, Ayrshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Berkshire and the Scottish highlands to the list.  As she had a keen eye for interior design she was able to put this to good use in her various homes along the way.

On the social front, Linda really enjoyed singing and was a member of various local choirs as she moved around the country. She also took part in several amateur productions of Gilbert & Sullivan operettas.

Linda’s later years were spent in the highlands of Scotland where she died in October 2025 on the Isle of Skye, after a short illness.

Rest in peace, Linda.