Former Wren from Bromsgrove to visit Scotland for special trip (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)
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Former Wren from Bromsgrove to visit Scotland for special trip
4:20pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in Local
Return to Scotland: Wendy Hogarth from Bromsgrove is heading back to Arbroath, where she was stationed during the Second World War. Ref:s
A BROMSGROVE woman is looking forward to visiting Scotland where she was stationed during the Second World War, as part of a lottery funded project.
Wendy Hogarth, a former member of the Women's Royal Naval Service (Wrens), is about to take her first trip through the Heroes Return 2 programme.
The 89-year-old joined the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and trained as a radar mechanic, testing top secret equipment for aircraft at RAF Defford.
While there she met George, a Scottish RAF fighter pilot, and they were married four months later in September 1944.
But like many couples during the war, Wendy was separated from George when she was posted to Arbroath. The couple were though able to enjoy the following New Year’s Eve, as George visited her while on leave.
Mrs Hogarth is now preparing to visit the Victorian mansion, Letham Grange, where she was stationed during her time in the town.
“Being apart was nothing unusual during the war,” she said.
“I never worried too much about him - I guess we were young and very positive and never thought anything would happen to us.
“We wrote to each other a lot.”
George passed away in August 2011 just before his 90th birthday.
During the trip Mrs Hogarth is planning to revisit some of the places the couple saw, during that New Year period.
She is now encouraging others to apply for funding from the Heroes Return 2 programme.
Funded by the Big Lottery Fund, it allows Second World War veterans, widows, spouses and carers the opportunity to travel across the world to places they fought and served.
John Taylor from the Big Lottery Fund said: “Second World War veterans let us know how important these visits are to them.
“The experiences they revisit remind us that we must never take for granted the peace this generation secured for all of us and the debt we owe for the freedoms we enjoy and value today.”
For more details on the programme, and how to apply for funding, call 0845 00 00 121 or see biglotteryfund.org.uk.
