Jessie’s Story: Heroism, heartache and happiness in the wartime women’s forces

by Duncan Barrett, Nuala Calvi

From the bestselling authors of The Sugar Girls and GI Brides, this is Jessie’s story, one of three true accounts from the book The Girls Who Went to War.

“Since Jessie’s surname was Ward, she was one of the last to hear what role she had been assigned to. Mary and Olive had already been told they were going to an ack-ack training camp in Berkshire, and she crossed her fi ngers, hoping that she would be setting off with them. Finally, the corporal came to her name. ‘Private Ward,’ she called out. ‘Anti-aircraft.’At that moment, Jessie couldn’t have been happier. She was joining the artillery, and would soon be giving the Germans what for.”

In the summer of 1940, Britain stood alone against Germany. The British Army stood at just over one and a half million men, while the Germans had three times that many, and a population almost twice the size of ours from which to draw new waves of soldiers. Clearly, in the fight against Hitler, manpower alone wasn’t going to be enough.

Eighteen-year-old Jessie Ward defied her mother to join the ATS, leaving her quiet home for the rigours of training, the camaraderie of the young women who worked together so closely and to face a war that would change her life forever.

Overall, more than half a million women served in the armed forces during the Second World War. This book tells the story of just one of them. But in her story is reflected the lives of hundreds of thousands of others like them – ordinary girls who went to war, wearing their uniforms with pride.

125 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2015

About the author

Duncan grew up in London and read English at Jesus College, Cambridge. He is the editor of Ronald Skirth's First World War memoir The Reluctant Tommy (Macmillan, 2010) and co-author of Star Trek: The Human Frontier (Polity, 2000) and Zippy and Me: The Remarkable Life in Puppets of Rainbow's Ronnie Le Drew (forthcoming, 2011). He also works as an actor and occasional theatre director.

Reviews

[Kelly Steed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really interesting read but it left me wanting more. The book tells the life of Jessie, a young woman who served during WWII, but the narrative often felt like “this happened, then this happened” rather than fully drawing me into her world. It ended up feeling a bit impersonal, which is surprising given that it’s someone’s personal story.

That said, it offered a fascinating glimpse into the experiences of women during wartime. I’d love to read more about the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) or other women’s roles in the war, as their contributions deserve far more recognition.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy and quick to read

Very easy and quick to read, I read it in one sitting. Would definitely read more by this author. Highly recommend

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book finding out about a woman soldier who played a vital role in WW2.

[Anita Hansford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. Well written. Learnt a few things I didn't know about WW2. Would definitely read more books from the authors

[Sue Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting easy read.