SERVICE NUMBER WWI G26
ALSO KNOWN AS Beatrix
ARMED FORCE / BRANCH Navy
WAR World War I, 1914-1918
WAR World War I, 1914-1918
ARMED FORCE / BRANCH Navy
SERVICE NUMBER WWI G26
MILITARY SERVICE
Ambulance Driver, Red Cross
Royal Navy
Womens' Royal Naval Service WRNS - Admiralty Garage
EMBARKATION DETAILS WW1
Motor Driver/Military Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS)
Served 21 January 1918-16 February 1919 posted to Admiralty Garage - demobilised February 1919.
She served in both World War I and II as an ambulance driver in France and London. In 1917 she formed the first unit of the Women's Royal Naval Service, the Wrens. She was an accomplished artist, studying and exhibiting her paintings in London.
Daughter of Sir Francis Bell the first New Zealand born Prime Minister of New Zealand and Lady Caroline Bell.
Source: Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
Her family lived in Thorndon but also had a weekend and holiday residence at Lowry Bay called Taumaru from 1894. Taumaru was used as a convalescent hospital during WWI run by another Bell sister, Mrs. Iris Rolleston.
Enid trained as an ambulance driver and mechanic, setting off for France with the British Red Cross in April 1917.
Enid was tasked with forming the first unit of the Women's Royal Naval Service in 1918. Beginning as Motor Driver (or Chaffeuse in some documents) and Mechanic, her rank was soon Chief Section Leader (equivalent to Chief Petty Officer) in charge of the Admiralty Garage in London. Driving senior officers around led to Enid being the only woman present at sea to view the surrender of the German submarine fleet after the Armistice. The senior officers she had driven to Harwich insisted she come aboard to view proceedings.
Enid received recognition for her war service, being awarded MBE
Enid became Deputy Chief Commissioner of the NZ Girl guides 1924-1932.
Returning to England, Enid was there at the outbreak of WWII. She again drove ambulances, this time night shift during the Blitz. Being an accomplished artist, during the day Enid worked in a small secret unit designing camouflage patterns and constructing scale models of military areas.
Returning to New Zealand, Enid lived at Heretaunga in the Hutt Valley pursuing her passions of painting, golfing and gardening.
She passed away in 1977.
ALSO KNOWN AS Beatrix
ARMED FORCE / BRANCH Navy
WAR World War I, 1914-1918
WAR World War I, 1914-1918
ARMED FORCE / BRANCH Navy
SERVICE NUMBER WWI G26
MILITARY SERVICE
Ambulance Driver, Red Cross
Royal Navy
Womens' Royal Naval Service WRNS - Admiralty Garage
EMBARKATION DETAILS WW1
Motor Driver/Military Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS)
Served 21 January 1918-16 February 1919 posted to Admiralty Garage - demobilised February 1919.
She served in both World War I and II as an ambulance driver in France and London. In 1917 she formed the first unit of the Women's Royal Naval Service, the Wrens. She was an accomplished artist, studying and exhibiting her paintings in London.
Daughter of Sir Francis Bell the first New Zealand born Prime Minister of New Zealand and Lady Caroline Bell.
Source: Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
Her family lived in Thorndon but also had a weekend and holiday residence at Lowry Bay called Taumaru from 1894. Taumaru was used as a convalescent hospital during WWI run by another Bell sister, Mrs. Iris Rolleston.
Enid trained as an ambulance driver and mechanic, setting off for France with the British Red Cross in April 1917.
Enid was tasked with forming the first unit of the Women's Royal Naval Service in 1918. Beginning as Motor Driver (or Chaffeuse in some documents) and Mechanic, her rank was soon Chief Section Leader (equivalent to Chief Petty Officer) in charge of the Admiralty Garage in London. Driving senior officers around led to Enid being the only woman present at sea to view the surrender of the German submarine fleet after the Armistice. The senior officers she had driven to Harwich insisted she come aboard to view proceedings.
Enid received recognition for her war service, being awarded MBE
Enid became Deputy Chief Commissioner of the NZ Girl guides 1924-1932.
Returning to England, Enid was there at the outbreak of WWII. She again drove ambulances, this time night shift during the Blitz. Being an accomplished artist, during the day Enid worked in a small secret unit designing camouflage patterns and constructing scale models of military areas.
Returning to New Zealand, Enid lived at Heretaunga in the Hutt Valley pursuing her passions of painting, golfing and gardening.
She passed away in 1977.
SERVICE NUMBER WWI G26
ALSO KNOWN AS Beatrix
ARMED FORCE / BRANCH Navy
WAR World War I, 1914-1918
WAR World War I, 1914-1918
ARMED FORCE / BRANCH Navy
SERVICE NUMBER WWI G26
MILITARY SERVICE
Ambulance Driver, Red Cross
Royal Navy
Womens' Royal Naval Service WRNS - Admiralty Garage
EMBARKATION DETAILS WW1
Motor Driver/Military Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS)
Served 21 January 1918-16 February 1919 posted to Admiralty Garage - demobilised February 1919.
She served in both World War I and II as an ambulance driver in France and London. In 1917 she formed the first unit of the Women's Royal Naval Service, the Wrens. She was an accomplished artist, studying and exhibiting her paintings in London.
Daughter of Sir Francis Bell the first New Zealand born Prime Minister of New Zealand and Lady Caroline Bell.
Source: Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
Her family lived in Thorndon but also had a weekend and holiday residence at Lowry Bay called Taumaru from 1894. Taumaru was used as a convalescent hospital during WWI run by another Bell sister, Mrs. Iris Rolleston.
Enid trained as an ambulance driver and mechanic, setting off for France with the British Red Cross in April 1917.
Enid was tasked with forming the first unit of the Women's Royal Naval Service in 1918. Beginning as Motor Driver (or Chaffeuse in some documents) and Mechanic, her rank was soon Chief Section Leader (equivalent to Chief Petty Officer) in charge of the Admiralty Garage in London. Driving senior officers around led to Enid being the only woman present at sea to view the surrender of the German submarine fleet after the Armistice. The senior officers she had driven to Harwich insisted she come aboard to view proceedings.
Enid received recognition for her war service, being awarded MBE
Enid became Deputy Chief Commissioner of the NZ Girl guides 1924-1932.
Returning to England, Enid was there at the outbreak of WWII. She again drove ambulances, this time night shift during the Blitz. Being an accomplished artist, during the day Enid worked in a small secret unit designing camouflage patterns and constructing scale models of military areas.
Returning to New Zealand, Enid lived at Heretaunga in the Hutt Valley pursuing her passions of painting, golfing and gardening.
She passed away in 1977.
ALSO KNOWN AS Beatrix
ARMED FORCE / BRANCH Navy
WAR World War I, 1914-1918
WAR World War I, 1914-1918
ARMED FORCE / BRANCH Navy
SERVICE NUMBER WWI G26
MILITARY SERVICE
Ambulance Driver, Red Cross
Royal Navy
Womens' Royal Naval Service WRNS - Admiralty Garage
EMBARKATION DETAILS WW1
Motor Driver/Military Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS)
Served 21 January 1918-16 February 1919 posted to Admiralty Garage - demobilised February 1919.
She served in both World War I and II as an ambulance driver in France and London. In 1917 she formed the first unit of the Women's Royal Naval Service, the Wrens. She was an accomplished artist, studying and exhibiting her paintings in London.
Daughter of Sir Francis Bell the first New Zealand born Prime Minister of New Zealand and Lady Caroline Bell.
Source: Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
Her family lived in Thorndon but also had a weekend and holiday residence at Lowry Bay called Taumaru from 1894. Taumaru was used as a convalescent hospital during WWI run by another Bell sister, Mrs. Iris Rolleston.
Enid trained as an ambulance driver and mechanic, setting off for France with the British Red Cross in April 1917.
Enid was tasked with forming the first unit of the Women's Royal Naval Service in 1918. Beginning as Motor Driver (or Chaffeuse in some documents) and Mechanic, her rank was soon Chief Section Leader (equivalent to Chief Petty Officer) in charge of the Admiralty Garage in London. Driving senior officers around led to Enid being the only woman present at sea to view the surrender of the German submarine fleet after the Armistice. The senior officers she had driven to Harwich insisted she come aboard to view proceedings.
Enid received recognition for her war service, being awarded MBE
Enid became Deputy Chief Commissioner of the NZ Girl guides 1924-1932.
Returning to England, Enid was there at the outbreak of WWII. She again drove ambulances, this time night shift during the Blitz. Being an accomplished artist, during the day Enid worked in a small secret unit designing camouflage patterns and constructing scale models of military areas.
Returning to New Zealand, Enid lived at Heretaunga in the Hutt Valley pursuing her passions of painting, golfing and gardening.
She passed away in 1977.
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