Queen Elizabeth's WWII Service

[Sukie1941]

The Busch Twins should read this over and over. I have known about Elizabeth's WWII service for some time,and maybe most of you have also.

If not, here it is:

"It was to be the British Monarch's first visit to the (WWII)war memorial, which was dedicated in 2004. The queen, a teenage princess during World War II, won permission in 1945 from her father, King George VI, to join the war effort as a driver in the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women's branch of the British Army. She became known as No. 230873 Second Subaltern Elizabeth Windsor." (from a Yahoo! news item)

I have seen Elizabeth's photos taken during her WWII service showing her in coveralls and changing a tire on a jeep or somesuch.

[mcscajun]

1. "...won permission..."

King George VI did NOT want his daughter and heiress presumptive joining the war effort. His opinion was her position as heiress presumptive was service enough. She convinced him otherwise.

Elizabeth's mother had more mettle than Poppy's Bar, too. The suggestion that she and the two princesses stay in Canada during the war was met with this statement: "The children could not possibly go without me, I will never leave the King, and the King will never leave his country."

Say what you like about the institution of the monarchy, but there's a quality there you don't see in the Bushes.

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. Both Queen Elizabeths served in WWII most admirably

The Queen Consort was the public face of the monarchy during the Blitz: visiting troops in hospitals, inspecting bombed out sections of the country, listening to concerns of the people and serving as a beacon of courage. She went where the king could not for safety reasons, and the people loved her deeply for this. If she could face the devestation, they could as well. It was a rare week when she was not somewhere bringing comfort and hope to her subjects.

The Royal Princess served more directly. Like her mother, the younger Elizabeth was an inspiration. When even the Royal Family has children in the armed forces, could a commoner begrudge the massive conscription of soldiers? When the Heir Presumptive is eating the same food as the other military personnel, living in the same conditions and doing the same work as other women in the war effort, who would not be more willing to sign up voluntarily and take up the same work?

Crimeny, I'm impressed now, 60 years latter and citizen of a different country. The very idea of George, Jeb, or any of their by-blows making anything even close to a similar effort beggars the imagination.

[LibertyLover]

2. From one or two biographies of Elizabeth II that I've read,

her service time was short, but she actually did learn a few things about repairing motor cars and enjoyed her time in WATS. While not strictly necessary at that point in the war, she felt that she had to do something to 'give back' as it were to the British people. Not a bad attitude or position to take in my opinion and one that more than a few presidential, vice presidential and other government officials' children could do worse than to emulate.

[TechBear_Seattle]

6. Not necessary in personnel terms, but vitally important nontheless

Her service was very important symbolically: If the Heir Presumptive is willing to take a direct part in the war effort, could the ordinary citizens do any less?

In terms of British morale, her service had a profound impact.

[sarge43]

10. Yes the service time was short, but by no fault of hers.

She turned 18 in April '44 and she applied immediately. The WATS like all the other branches were cut back at the war's end. It's a part of her life she remembers fondly and with pride, as she should.

[rfranklin]

3. How dare that chickenhawk Bush stand next to her Heinous!!??

How dare he!!?

[ejbr]

8. Don't forget Cheney!! kinda like, "Don't forget Poland!!" (I believe it's her Highness)N/T

[sarge43]

12. It's Her Majesty.

Royal Highness is the kids, children of the sons, and the eldest son of the eldest son of the eldest son, ie William's first son if HM is still alive.

[ejbr]

14. But Who's on first? Thanks for the "clarification" :) n/t

[sarge43]

15. What?

You're welcome. :D

[KansDem]

4. The Royal Family also chose to stay in London during WWII

"She's a trooper"

He said that as Queen, her store with her subjects had risen immeasurably as a result of the Royal Family's decision to stay in London during World War II.

She made it her business to go out and meet the people whose homes had been destroyed by bombs, and to maintain a high profile through the war years.

"The Royal Family hit a low point with the abdication of Edward VIII before the war, and certainly the decision to stay in London during the war raised its popularity again," said Professor Billig.

BBC

As I understand it, the Family could have chosen to live outside of London for safety, but chose to weather Hitler's bombs with the rest of London.

I don't know, I just can't imagine the Bush Family doing something like this...

[ejbr]

7. Can't seem to delete this misplaced reply. oops! Though I do agree with what you posted.n/t

[CatWoman]

9. look at the old girl changing a tire

:)


I watched Princess Elizabeth undergo her training.

[ElizabethDC]

11. Very nice . . . even I don't know how to do that! n/t

[sarge43]

13. Good moment in the film "The Queen"

She's alone driving around the Belmoral estate; the Land Rover gets busted up in a river bed. She mutters "bugger all" and makes a call for help on her cell. One of the gillies asks what's wrong. She says something about the front axle or some such. Gillie says, "Are you sure, ma'am?"
"Of course I'm sure. I was a mechanic during the war, you know."

[Sukie1941]

16. I wonder what the Queen thinks

about her life and if she would have had anything different. Would she prefer to be a regular folk "out there?" If her mechanics years were special for her, maybe she has some secret thoughts about how her life might have been if she had not been born into royalty.

I know when she and her sister Margaret were young, they went "to town" to mingle unnoticed among the hoards of people celebrating the end of WWII. I am sure there were lots more of these adventures into the commoners' world.

[AX10]

17. True.