Queen Elizabeth II and Katy Ambulances during World War II, The Battle for Jesus

 

Queen Elizabeth II and Katy ambulances during World War II:

Photo of an Austin K2/Y ambulance, fondly known as a ‘Katy’ during WWII. Photo courtesy of Deben Dave at English Wikipedia. Via Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain.

This blog gives you an idea of what Katy Ambulances during World War II look like in the story, The Battle for Jesus.

As a field ambulance they were extremely popular, versatile and reliable. The gears, apparently, just needed ‘a little understanding’.

The engines were easy to maintain, economic on the fuel and they could do fifty five miles an hour on the road, as well as handle rough terrain. They were often seconded, with the FANYs (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry) as drivers, to various hospitals in London and other cities during the Blitz. Mary Magdalene and Nancy Shuttleworth (Mary’s co-driver) were ambulance drivers in the FANYs.

Guy’s Hospital and others in central London got hit badly during the Blitz, so the ambulance drivers serviced St Vincent’s which, in fact, was a children’s hospital located in North London, away from the bombed area. That is where ‘Vinnies’ Best’ comes from in the story. Taxi drivers volunteered too, because it was difficult to get around London in the blackout. And the blackout shields over their lights did not make it any easier!

In the story: In the snap-shot of the ‘gang all together in ’44’ which Elizabeth II keeps on her desk with other family photos, she is in civilian clothes. This is because Elizabeth had not joined up at the time the photo was taken. Someone at the depot took the photo and Elizabeth got a copy which became one of her personal treasures. In the story, she wanted to know what it was like driving at night in London so, secretly without the King knowing, she took the risk and went out with Mary Magdalene and Nancy Shuttleworth. She put her trust in Mary and Nancy and this is where she bonded with them. Her trust in Mary and Nancy is absolute, and well founded. However, by the time Elizabeth joined up in early 1945 Mary had already gone on a secret mission into Germany on behalf of Winston Churchill.

Elizabeth asked after Mary many times but no one could or would tell her… It was all ‘need-to-know’ and Elizabeth had no need to know. But, much later Nancy discovered what had happened to Mary…which is one of the reasons why Elizabeth kept the photo.

These photos were taken in 1945 when the Queen was a Princess.

Far Left Photo is of Princess Elizabeth with a Katy ambulance when she was in the ATS during WWII.                  Near Left Photo: is of Princess Elizabeth, a 2nd Subaltern in the ATS at a maintenance depot. Notice the Katy ambulance in the background. Both photos are courtesy of Imperial War Museums, UK. Public Domain. Via Wikimedia Commons.

In reality: Elizabeth II did not join up until March 1945. She is eighteen going on nineteen in the pictures in this blog. Her father gave her an Honorary Commission as Second Subaltern, which would be the equivalent of a Second Lieutenant. She was later promoted to Junior Commander. She passed her military driving test, learnt map reading and how to maintain engines. Even in her teens, you can see her determination and sense of responsibility in the pictures. The makings of a great Head of State are all there in her demeanour.

Note: Winston Churchill’s daughter was also in the ATS, so it is quite possible, even in reality, that Mary Magdalene did know the Churchill family before and during the war. The more plausible, the more surreal.