News & Events ........ keeping you updated on VCG events and activities

Hampton Enterprise to aid of World War Two heroine

In the final months of the Second World War, Margaret Yates was one of the heroic medical staff who manned the makeshift hospitals close to the fighting at the culmination of the battle to drive the Japanese out of Burma.

In recognition of her gallantry as a sister in the Territorial Army Nursing Service, Margaret awarded a mention in despatches, one of the highest honours she could receive.

Despite Margaret's current age and frailty, her niece, Jenny Yates, was determined she should attend one final function alongside the other service personnel who make up the North Surrey branch.

Through the good offices of Marie Martin, a key outreach worker in VCG's Neighbourhood Care Project, Margaret enrolled as a member of Hampton Enterprise Community Transport Project and travelled in style to the annual VJ Day memorial service in Staines in the project's Eurobus Twin people carrier. VCG Director, Fiona Brennan says "It was a great privilege and pleasure for us to enable Margaret to join her comrades at this very special ceremony. It is a poignant reminder of the great debt we owe both to Margaret and all those fighting in WW2 who gave so much to protect our freedom and safety"

A carriage fit for a woman of courage

last updated 10 October, 2006