11102022 British Legion – Bahamas Branch

Bahamian women who served during World War II

By MRS ADINA D MUNROE-CHARLOW Chairman of the British Legion-Bahamas Branch

THIS year, the British Legion-Bahamas Branch will be remembering and

celebrating our Bahamian ex-servicewomen who served during World War II between 1943-1945. We will be remembering 24 brave Bahamian women who served in both British military auxiliaries:

• the Auxilitary Territo rial Service (A.T.S.);

• and the Women’s Aux ilitary Air Force (WAAF) platoons.

See panel below for the full list of Bahamian women platoons.

BAHAMIAN WOMEN WHO SERVED

LIST OF BAHAMIAN WOMEN WHO SERVED IN THE A.T.S (AUXILIARY TERRITORIAL SERVICE)

• Woman/N.C. Officer - Private Ruth Clarke-Goodridge nee Thompson

• Woman/N.C. Officer - Private Zoe Maynard nee Cumberbatch

• Woman/N.C. Officer - Private Dorothy Louise Fullerton nee Cooper

• Woman/N.C. Officer - Private Dorothy Lorraine Wisdom nee Roberts

• Woman/N.C. Officer - Private Pearl Eugenie Grant

• Woman/N.C. Officer - Private Vera Johnson

• Woman/N.C. Officer - Private Grace Knowles nee Fountain

• Woman/N.C. Officer - Private Sybil Ford nee Lightbourne

• Woman/N.C. Officer - Private Shirley Wright

• Woman/N.C. Officer - Acting Corporal Doreen Rickards nee Jones*

• Woman/N.C. Officer - Private Vernell Armbrister

• Private Officer - Patricia H. Bedford –B2-Wireless Operator (A.T.S.-Northern Ireland)

W.N.C.-Non-Commission Officer (Ref.: The Brave Eleven)

* Acting Corporal Doreen Jones-Rick ards is still alive and lives in Kingston, Jamaica-(October-2022)

LIST OF BAHAMIAN WOMEN WHO SERVED IN THE WAAF (WOMEN AUXILIARY AIR FORCE)

• Aircraftwoman 2 - Joan Straton

• Aircraftwoman 2 - Margaret Loughran

• Aircraftwoman 2 - Peggy Hilton

• Aircraftwoman 2 - Grace Johnson

• Aircraftwoman 2 - Mary Brown-Simpson

• Aircraftwoman 2 - Rosemary Kelly

• Aircraftwoman 2 - W. Brownrigg

• Aircraftwoman 2 - Rosalie Knowles

• Aircraftwoman 2 - Bobby Duncombe

• Aircraftwoman 2 - Ann Wanklyn

• Aircraftwoman 2 - Peggy Moseley-Millar

• Corporal Joan Winder (Transport Division)

Ref: Magazine entitled: NASSAU Vol.12 No.1 d/d December, 1945)

Ref: Online Search Wikipedia definition of Aircraft Woman 2 –A.C.W.2

101 years as a non-profit organisation

THE Royal British Legion (London) continues to cel ebrate 101 years as a non-profit organisation.

This year, the British LegionBahamas Branch, including all other Commonwealth Brit ish Legion branches, celebrate, along with our international headquarters, the Royal British Legion (London), 101 years of existence as a non-profit organi sation serving all World War II veterans and widows throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, Africa, Australia, and the Caribbean.

It was on 15th May, 1921, 101 years ago, the Royal Brit ish Legion (London) was incorporated as a non-profit organisation as result of the merging of four international war veteran associations that were already established three years after the Great War ended in 1918.

The main objectives of the Royal British Legion upon, its incorporation, were:

(1) To financially provide for all war emergency service work ers, including soliders, who were wounded during the great war;

(2) To provide companionship to all soliders who had no fami lies and homes to go to after the great war ended; and finally (3) To remember all war emergency service workers, including soliders, who lost their lives defending our freedoms and who protected the way of life during that time.

TRIBUTES being paid at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Novem ber 11, 1928, the an niversary of the day that fighting ended in World War I.

TODAY, the British Legion-Bahamas branch, along with its Commonwealth World War associate branches, continue the main objectives of our headquarters RBL (London) in the provison of financial monthly war grants to our now three Bahamian registered World War II veterans (ages 94-99) and 17 World War II widows of the fallen, whose ages range from 74-94.

The names of the current WWII survivors registered with the British Legion-Bahamas branch are:

• Comrade Jeremiah Neymour (99) - Gregory Town, Eleuthera, Bahamas (Royal Air Force);

• Comrade Henry Kellman (94) - Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas (Royal Air Force) and;

• Comrade Vernon Pinder (97) - New Providence, Nassau, Bahamas (Royal Air Force) and finally;

Registered under the care of the British LegionJamacia branch:

• Our remaining Bahamian female WWII survivor, Acting Corporal Doreen Carmel Jones-Rickards (98), who served in the British Auxiliary Territorial Service (A.T.S.) during World War II and who currently resides with her daughter in Kingston, Jamaica.

HISTORY, ROLE, AND PURPOSE OF THE

THE WORK OF THE LOCAL BRITISH LEGION BRANCH

BRITISH LEGION- BAHAMAS BRANCH Blue Hill Road Office-Nassau, Bahamas

When was the British Legion International and Brit ish Legion-Bahamas branch formed?

The British Legion International Headquarters was formed in 1921, two years after World War I at a repre sentative WWI conference in London, England.

The British Legion-Bahamas Branch (BLBB) –Formerly known as The Bahamas Ex-Servicemen Association, it was formed by Bahamian WWII exservicemen and ex-servicewomen after World War II in 1945 to “preserve” their war experiences and legacies for future Bahamian generations. The British LegionBahamas Branch, is an official non-profit organisation registered under the Non-Profit Organisations Act, 2019, with its headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

It was in 1966, when The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) accepted the administrative responsibil ity from its worldwide headquarters, British Legion International in London, to provide and to distribute financial assistance grants to all World War II veterans and widows of 15 Caribbean member state branches, including The Bahamas.

The main role and purpose of BLBB is to ensure that its “registered” ex-servicemen, ex-servicewomen, and widows of deceased WWII veterans receive, on a monthly basis, small war grants provided by both its Canadian headquarters and the government of The Bahamas. Reg istered members are verified annually in order to continue to receive their international and local war grants.

Eligibility to apply for membership & monthly war grant

In order to become “eligible” to receive a monthly war grant, one must be in financial need and would have served in World War II between 1939-1945 or one must provide proof of being the widow of an ex-serviceman who had served in World War II and who could also be further verified by the British Legion International and the Bahamas branch as serving in that war.

Executive Committee

This committee is the local governing body of this military non-profit organisation. It comprises positions of a Chairman/Treasurer, Vice Chairman, Executive Secretary, 1st Assistant Secretary, 1st Assistant Treas urer, Chaplain, Assistant Chaplain, and a Uniform Branch Representative.

101 years of the existence of the poppy

BY MRS ADINA D MUNROE-CHARLOW Chairman of British Legion-Bahamas Branch

THIS year (2022) also marks the 101st birthday of the poppy.

It was 101 years ago, that the Royal British Legion’s then president, the late Earl Haig, announced the introduction of the poppy as a symbol representing the blood shed by thousands of soliders (including our Bahamian soliders), who died during the Great War of 1914-1918.

He announced that on the 11th day of every November, which was formerly known as ar-mis-tice day, would now be known as “Remembrance Day”.

This day would be considered a “Poppy Day” to raise funds for the care of surviving war veterans.

Since that very first remembrance day, in 1921, eight million poppies were purchased and worn in surport of this worthy cause.

Today, as Chairman of the British Legion-Bahamas branch, I encourage the entire Bahamas to purchase and wear a poppy in remembrance of the sacrifice that was made for world peace and freedom, a very vital historial role played by our forgotten Bahamian war heroes.

The Bahamas branch of the British Legion continues the traditional poppy fundraising drive to care for our sur viving elderly Bahamian war veterans and widows here on the island of New Providence as well as those residing on the islands of Freeport, Grand Bahama, Exuma, Nicholls Town, Andros, and Gregory Town, Eleuthera.

WHEN IS REMEMBRANCE DAY CELEBRATED DURING 2022?

Remembrance Day 2022 will be observed on Friday, 11th November, 2022.

Remembrance Sunday 2022 will be observed on Sunday, 13th November, 2022, the second Sunday in the month of november is observed as Remembrance Sunday.

Remembrance Sunday is a day of national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifices of all those persons who have defended our freedom and protected our way of life over 101 years ago.

We remember the armed forces and their families, the vital role played by the emergency services, and all who lost their lives as a result of worldwide conflict.

We will remember them! We must remember them!

Happy 101st Remembrance Day, Bahamas.

THE LATE Earl Haig during a visit to a poppy factory in Richmond, England.

The work of the local branch of the Royal British Legion

A DELIVERY to Comrade Vernon Pinder in September.

A DELIVERY to widow Beulah Sweeting in May.

A DELIVERY to widow Marietta Coakley’s daugh ter in May.

A DELIVERY to widow Nellie McPhee in June.

A DELIVERY to widow Nellie McPhee in May last year.

A DELIVERY to Comrade Vernon Pinder in Octo ber last year.

CARRYING wreaths this month at the Bahamas Veterans Cemetery are, front row, executive com mittee member Kevin Hanna, chairman Adina Munroe-Charlow, vice chairman/chaplain Father Andrew Toppin; second row, volunteer committee member Valentino Griffin, volunteer committee member Charles Hepburn II, volunteer committee member Marvin Pinder and volunteer committee member Darrol Hall.

THE first poppy of remembrance was pre sented to the Governor General to mark the start of poppy season.

The executives committee representatives of the British Legion presented the poppy to Governor General CA Smith to officially open the season in The Bahamas.

Pictured with Mr Smith are Adina Munroe-Charlow, chairman of the British LegionBahamas Branch and executive committee members Father Andrew Toppin, Kevin Hanna, and Charles Hepburn, Jr.

LEGION

Surviving veterans of The Bahamas

THE British Legion-Bahamas Branch salutes surviving Baha mian World War II veteran, Comrade Jeremiah Neymour. Comrade Neymour, who cur rently resides on the island of Gregory Town, Eleuthera.

He is an active registered member of the British LegionBahamas Branch.

He served in Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force (RAF) 77 years ago as an Aircraft Engineer. He was based at the Oakes Field Camp, on the island of New Providence, Bahamas.

AIRFORCE(RAF) NO. 796811

THE British Legion-Bahamas Branch salutes surviving Baha mian World War II veteran, Comrade Henry Kellman. Com rade Kellman currently resides on the island of Freeport, Grand Bahama. He is an active reg istered member of the British Legion-Bahamas Branch.

Bahamas Branch Salutes surviving Bahamian World Jeremiah Neymour . Comrade island of Eleuthera. British Legion Bahamas Branch. He is one of four WWII Veterans registered with The British Legion

THE British Legion-Bahamas Branch salutes surviving Baha mian World War II veteran, Comrade Vernon Pinder.

Comrade Pinder currently resides on the island of New Providence, Bahamas, and is an active registered member of the British Legion-Bahamas Branch.

He served in Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force (RAF) 77 years ago as an Aircraft Engineer. He was based at the Oakes Field Camp, on the island of New Providence, Bahamas.

THE British Legion-Baha mas Branch salutes surviving Bahamian female World War II veteran, Corporal Doreen Jones-Rickards.

Corporal Jones-Rickards cur rently resides on the island of Kingston, Jamaica, with her daughter.

He served in Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force (RAF) 77 years ago as an Aircraft Engineer. He was based at the Oakes Field Camp, on the island of New Providence, Bahamas.

Majesty’s Royal Air Force (RAF) Seventy Engineer. He was based at the Oakes Field Camp, Providence, Bahamas.

WAR

Majesty’s Royal Air Force Seven (77) Engineer. He was based at the Oakes Field Camp, Providence, Bahamas.

She served in Her Majesty’s Royal Auxiliary Territorial Ser vice (A.T.S.), which was the female branch of the Royal Brit ish Army.

She was one of 12 brave Bahamian women who served in this female platoon 77 years ago and was stationed at Garri son Annex in the Up Park Camp, in Kingston, Jamaica.

The British Legion surviving Bahamian War II Veteran, Comrade Vernon Pinder. Comrade Pinder, currently resides on the island of New Providence, Bahamas , and is an registered member of the British Legion Bahamas Branch. He is one (4) remaining Bahamian WWII Veterans with The British Bahamas Branch. He served in Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force (RAF) Seventy Seven an Aircraft Engineer. He was based at the Oakes Field on the island of New Providence, Bahamas.

Auxiliary Territorial

branch of the Royal British Army.

The Brave Eleven

BAHAMIAN WOMEN WHO SERVED IN THE BRITISH AUXILIARY TERRITORIAL SERVICE (A.T.S.)

BY MRS ADINA D MUNROE-CHARLOW Chairman of British Legion-Bahamas branch

WHAT WAS THE A.T.S.?

The A.T.S. (Auxiliary Territorial Service) was the Women’s Branch of The Royal British Army during World War II. It was estab lished on 9th September, 1938 initially as a wom en’s voluntary service and existed until 1st February, 1949, when it was merged into the Women’s Royal Army Corps.

Jobs performed by these women included: cooks, office clerks, telephone operators, motorbike messengers, vehicle engi neers, ambulance and lorry drivers.

Our Bahamian women who served in this divi sion of the Royal British Army were captured in the book entitled: “The Brave Eleven” written by the late Ruth Clarke-Goodridge, BEM.

Let us now take a look at our Bahamian women who served in the military arm of the A.T.S. during World War II, which began in 1939 and ended in 1945.

PRIVATE RUTH CLARKE-GOODRIDGE NEE THOMPSON

W/N.C. 272861

Private Ruth Thompson

WNC Officer Ruth Thompson was born on January 6, 1921, in Rokers Point, Exuma, in The Bahamas.

In 1944, she enlisted in the Auxiliary Territo rial Service (A.T.S.), the Women’s Branch of the Non-Commissioner Offic ers, (W/N.C). She was stationed at the Garrison Headquarters Annex Up Park Camp, in Kingston,

Jamaica.

When the war ended in 1945, Private Thompson returned to The Bahamas and continued her career as a teacher in the Ministry of Education.

Later in her life, she doc umented her World War II experience and became the Author of the Book enti tled: “The Brave Eleven.”

PRIVATE ZOE

MAYNARD

NEE CUMBERBATCH W/N.C. 272863 Private Zoe Cumberbatch

WNC Officer Private Zoe Cumberbatch was born in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. In 1944, she enlisted in the British Auxiliary Territo rial Service (A.T.S.). She was stationed at Garrison Headquarters Annex in Up Park Camp, in Kingston, Jamaica. She also served as Secretary to the Area Com mander of The Bahamas Battalion in Nassau.

Private Cumberbach, after her term of military service, returned to The Bahamas and later married the late Sir Clement T May nard, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism.

VERNELL

PRIVATE

ARMBRISTER

NEE ALBURY W/N.C. 272835 Private Vernell Albury

WNC Officer Private Vernell Albury, was born on May 29, 1924, in Nassau, Bahamas.

In 1943, she enlisted in the British Auxiliary Terri torial Service (A.T.S.) and was stationed at Garrison Headquarters Annex in Up Park Camp, in Kingston, Jamaica.

Private Albury also had the opportunity to serve at the Palisadoes Army and

Navy Air Force Camp at Port Royal, Jamaica.

After the war ended in 1945, she returned to The Bahamas and resumed her Teaching career at the Min istry of Education.

PRIVATE DOROTHY LOUISE FULLERTON NEE COOPER

WNC Officer Private Dorothy Cooper, was born in Nassau, Bahamas, in 1923.

In the early 1940s, she recruited in Nassau, Bahamas, into the Brit ish Auxiliary Territorial Service (A.T.S.) and was stationed at Garrison Head quarters Annex, in Up Park Camp, Kingston, Jamaica. She also served at vari ous Army outposts such as Palisadoes located in Port Royal, Jamaica.

When the war ended in 1945, she continued her military service at the Rehabilitation Office for Ex-Servicemen and women. She did not return to The Bahamas but married and lived in Kingston, Jamaica.

PRIVATE PEARL EUG

GRANT

ENIE

W/N.C. 272836 Private Pearl Engenie Grant

WNC Officer Private Pearl Grant, was born in Nassau, Bahamas, on July 24, 1922.

In 1943, she joined the British Auxiliary Territo rial Service (A.T.S.), and was stationed at Garrison Headquarters Annex in Up Park Camp, Kingston, Jamaica.

After a few months of training at the Camp, she further trained in Scot land, where she worked in the War Office. She also worked in Houndslow, London, in the War office there.

At the end of the war in 1945, she returned to The Bahamas and settled in West End, Grand Bahama.

PRIVATE

VERA JOHNSON

The Late WNC Officer Private Vera Johnson, was born in Nassau, Bahamas, in 1925.

In 1944, Private Johnson joined the British Aux iliary Territorial Service (A.T.S.), and was stationed at Garrison Headquarters Annex in Up Park Camp, Kingston, Jamaica. She further received additional training in Newcastle Hills, located in North-East Eng land. After her training, she returned to the Up Park Camp, in Kingston, Jamaica, where she served in the military Ordinance Corp. until the war ended. When the war ended in 1945, Private Johnson returned to The Bahamas and served in The Bahamas Government Sector.

PRIVATE GRACE FOUNTAIN NEE KNOWLES

WNC Officer Private Grace Knowles, was born in Nassau, Bahamas, on August 5, 1923, along with her identical twin sister

Thelma.

In the early 1940s, Private Grace Knowles joined the British Auxiliary Territo rial Service (A.T.S.), and was stationed at Garrison Headquarters Annex in Up Park Camp, Kingston, Jamaica.

At the end of the war, she returned to The Baha mas and worked in the Ministry of Tourism in its various Departments until her retirement in 1991.

She was honored with the Queen’s Badge of Honor in 1996.

FORD

SYBIL

PRIVATE

NEE LIGHTBOURNE W/N.C. 272837 Private Sybil Lightbourne

WNC Officer Private Sybil Lightbourne, was born in Nassau Bahamas.

In 1943, Sybil joined the British Auxiliary Territo rial Service (A.T.S.), and was stationed at Garrison Headquarters Annex in Up Park Camp, Kingston, Jamaica. She served as an office Clerk/Typist at the Camp and also served in the Royal Engineers Corp.

At the end of the war in 1945, she returned to The Bahamas and was employed in The Bahamas Government Service.

W/N.C.

WNC Officer Dorothy Roberts, was born in 1924 on the island of New Provi dence – Nassau, Bahamas.

In 1944, she joined the British Auxiliary Territo rial Service (A.T.S.), and was stationed at Garrison Headquarters Annex in the Up Park Camp, Kingston, Jamaica.

When the war ended, she took up residence in Kingston, Jamaica, for two years. She returned to The Bahamas, thereafter, and served in The Bahamas Government Sector.

PRIVATE SHIRLEY WRIGHT

WNC Officer Shirley Wright, was born on the island of New Providence –Nassau, Bahamas.

In 1944, she enlisted in the British Auxiliary Terri torial Service (A.T.S.) and was stationed at Garrison Headquarters Annex in the Up Park Camp, Kingston, Jamaica.

Private Wright also took up further military train ing at the Newcastle Camp, North East England. Upon her return to Kingston,

BAHAMIAN WOMEN WHO SERVED IN THE BRITISH WOMEN’S AUXILIARY AIR FORCE (WAAF)

WHAT WAS THE WAAF?

The Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) – was the female branch of The Royal British Air Force during World War II. It was established on 28th June, 1939, but women were not recruited until 1941. Recruitment applied to women who were between the ages of 20-30 years old.

Women were trained in one of five Air Force sites, however, most of the training was at Wilmslow, England Air Force Base.

Jobs that were per formed by women in this

branch of the Royal British Army included parachute packing, radar, aircraft maintenance engineers, and communication duties such as wireless telephonic and telegraphic operations.

There was another group of Brave Bahamian women who also served in World War II in the Brit ish Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). They appear in the above pho tograph that was taken before the war began in 1939. The above photo graph was provided to The British Legion-Baha mas Branch by The Late

Elizabeth (Lou) MoseleyCuevas in 2018.

In the above photo graph standing left to right are: Peggy Hilton, Ann Wanklyn, Bobby Dun combe, Mary Moseley (Bahamian World War I Female Icon), W. Brown rigg, Margaret Loughran, Rosalie Knowles, and Joan Straton. The women who are sitting left to right are: Peggy Moseley- Millar, Pat Duncombe-MacDuff, Joan Winder, Mary Brown-Simp son, and Grace Johnson.

Not included in the above photograph is Private Officer Mary Kelly.

PRIVATE DORO THY WISDOM NEE ROBERTS

272859 Private Dorothy Roberts

BAHAMIAN women who served in the WAAF during World War II. Top row: A.C.W2s Joan Straton, Ann Wanklyn and Peggy Hilton. Bottom row: A.C.W2s W Brownrigg, Joan Winder and Mary Brown-Simpson.

Photo courtesy of Bahamian historian Paul Aranha

Jamaica, she served in vari ous army areas and was promoted to Corporal by the end of the War.

When the war ended in 1945, she returned to The Bahamas where she contin ued a career in the Bahamas Government sector.

PRIVATE PATRICA BEDFORD

Private Patricia Bedford –A.T.S. – Northern Ireland

Private Patricia H. Bed ford was born in Nassau, Bahamas.

During World War II, she served as a B-2 Wireless Operator in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (A.T.S.) in Northern Ireland.

THE ONLY KNOWN BAHAMIAN FEMALE WORLD WAR II VET ERAN STILL ALIVE - ACTING CORPORAL DOREEN CARMEL RICKARDS NEE JONES

WNC Officer Doreen Carmel-Jones, was born in Nassau, Bahamas, on

September 19, 1924.

In the mid-40s, Doreen Jones joined the Brit ish Auxiliary Territorial Service (A.T.S.), and was stationed at Garrison Head quarters Annex in Up Park Camp in Kingston, Jamaica. She served as a typist at the Camp’s office. She was promoted to Lance Corpo ral and then finally became Acting Corporal at the end of her military career when the war ended.

When the war ended in 1945, she did not return to The Bahamas, but remained in Kingston Jamaica.

Today, Acting Corporal Doreen Jones-Richards is alive and doing well at the age of 98 and resides in Kingston, Jamaica, with her daughter.

This research is only a peek into the Bahamian women’s experiences who served during World War II and how they made their contributions, along with our Bahamian men, to accomplish the worldwide freedom we have today. We will remember them.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II SERVED IN THE A.T.S.

THE late Queen Elizabeth II served in the A.T.S. Her Majesty learned how to drive trucks after signing up during World War II.

The British LegionBahamas Branch honours its late Patron, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, as she will be remembered in play ing her role in World War II.

At the age of 18, the Late Queen Elizabeth II, joined the Wom en’s Auxiliary Service (A.T.S.) in London.

She was trained in London as a military mechanic and a light truck and ambulance driver. The photograph right shows the Late Queen Elizabeth II in front of a truck that she drove during the war.

PRIVATE RUTH CLARKEGOODRIDGE NEE THOMPSON

PRIVATE ZOE MAYNARD NEE CUMBERBATCH

PRIVATE VERNELL ARMBRISTER NEE ALBURY

PRIVATE DOROTHY LOUISE FULLERTON NEE COOPER

PRIVATE PEARL EUGENIE GRANT

PRIVATE VERA JOHNSON

PRIVATE GRACE FOUNTAIN NEE KNOWLES

PRIVATE SYBIL FORD NEE LIGHTBOURNE

PRIVATE DOROTHY WISDOM NEE ROBERTS

PRIVATE SHIRLEY WRIGHT PRIVATE PATRICA BEDFORD ACTING CORPORAL DOREEN CARMEL RICKARDS NEE JONES

POPPY AND BOOKS PRESENTED TO BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER

Royal British Legion Bahamas Branch Chairman Mrs Adina Munroe-Charlow arranged a Bahamian war book presenta tion with the British High Commissioner, Thomas Hartley, on Friday, October 14, 2022.

At the book presentation, were the daughters of Bahamian World War II pilot, the late Basil Johnson (Ms Felicity Johnson, author of the book: Black Prince of Bain Town, and her sister Mrs Jill John son-Albury), above, and the daughters

of the late World War II veteran, Ruth Clarke-Goodridge, author of the book, The Brave Eleven, below.

The British Legion provided an opportu nity for the ladies to present their books to Mr Hartley, on Friday, October 14, which ended the National Heroes Week in The Bahamas.

At the book presentation, His Excellency was presented with a poppy by the chair man outside the embassy’s office.

The book presentation was a success.