Maureen Dunlop de Popp - A true heroine

 

I thought a post dedicated to the brave and beautiful as Maureen Dunlop de Popp, who sadly passed away last week at the age of 91 was appropriate. She was one of the 164 female members of the wartime Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), of which one in ten pilots died doing their duty of transporting planes between factories and military airfields. The above photograph proved the dream of the Picture Post photographer, who put this image of her emerging from the cockpit of a Fairey Barracuda on the cover, 1944.

The ATA's work was gruelling, they flew the length and breadth of the UK in all weathers, at a time when the nature of flying was changing to become a vital part of the war effort. The women pilots had to cope with opposition and rudeness from men who had little faith in their abilities - or perhaps even misplaced chivalry. The female pilots weren't permitted to fly in combat, but Dunlop expressed her wish to have been involved in the fighting : "I thought it was the only fair thing. Why should only men be killed?"

Maureen flew 38 different types of aircraft during her time at the ATA, including the Spitfire, Mustang, Typhoon and the Wellington bomber. However, when asked her favourite, she immediately responded "The Mosquito". 

Maureen Dunlop began flying at the age of 15, when she joined the Aeroclub Argentino. Two years later she had obtained her pilot's licence. The example of her father's British military experience as a volunteer with the Royal Field Artillery in the First World War, together with an article in Flight magazine, inspired her to sail to England and offer her flying skills to the ATA.
She came through the war uninjured, but once had to make a forced landing with a faulty engine, and once was flying a Spitfire when a badly fitted cockpit cover blew off. After the war she qualified in England as an instructor and, returning to Argentina, flew for the Argentine Air Force and taught its pilots, as well as flying commercially.

Maureen is a true inspiration, but I think a widely unknown story. Perhaps reading about such bravery is a reminder that it was a national effort fighting in World Wars, and we should always be keen to learn, and remember their contributions.

If you would like to discover more, the "Spitfire Women of World War II" book by Giles Whittel can be found HERE 

Thanks for reading,

Katie

International Women's Day 2012

As 2012 is her Jubilee year (bring on the bunting and G&T's!) my choice for International Women's Day is our very own Queen Elizabeth I I - a truly stoic, gracious and inspirational figure. For these six decades, the Queen has held the position as monarch, steering a careful path through a minefield of political, social and domestic crises. However, I feel her efforts for Britain before she was crowed are often forgotten or unknown, hence why I feel today is a suitable time to celebrate.

During WWII, in 1944, when she was only 18, Princess Elizabeth convinced her father to let her join the Auxiliary Territorial Service to help the war effort. Second Subaltern Elizabeth Windsor was trained as a truck driver and in heavy vehicle maintenance. She later attained the rank of Second Commander. She is, incidentally, the last surviving head of state to have served in uniform in World War II.

On VE day (the end of the war in Europe) celebratory crowds filled the streets of London. The two princesses mingled anonymously with that throng.

"We asked my parents if we could go out and see for ourselves. I remember we were terrified of being recognized... I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief."
 

One of her most prolific broadcasts was on her 21st Birthday in 1947, when in a clear high-pitched voice she said:

"I declare before you that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great Imperial family to which we all belong. But i shall not have the strength to carry out this resolution unless you join in with me, which i invite you to do. I know that your support will be unfailing given. God bless me to make good my vow and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it."

In 1952, she became Queen. Elizabeth began her reign as she was to continue it, with an enormous sense of duty. Throughout these 50 years she has travelled the world and met thousands of people. Each decade has presented her with new challenges, as society and the perception of the monarchy have changed immensly. Despite this, she enters her sixth decade as monarch still commanding respect and admiration the world over.

I could have spent all day writing about the many women who have shaped and inspired my life, and in fact, I intend to compile related posts throughout the year to celebrate such heroines!
I hope today has inspired many with such stories as these.


Wishing you a great weekend!

Katie