During my research into the memorials in the War Memorial Park, Coventry, I came across the only memorial tree to a female member of the Armed Services who died in service.
I am appealing for information on Barbara Joyce Masters for possible display with other memorial stories for the Park’s centenary in July 2021.
The facts that I have discovered so far are:
She was born on 26 November 1922; her mother’s maiden name was Moody.
She lived at 232 Gulson Road, Coventry.
She was employed at Coventry Victor Co Ltd.
She enlisted in the Women’s Royal Naval Service (The Wrens) in February 1943, service number 53481.
She was at a shore base, HMS Nile, Alexandria, Egypt, a major facility guarding the Eastern Mediterranean and the Suez Canal.
She contracted typhoid and was transferred to the 15th Scottish Hospital, Cairo, 100 miles away.
There is some confusion as to the date of her death, CWGC records the date as 13 October 1945; the military records show her death as 30 October 1945. She was aged 22 years old, just a month short of her 23rd birthday.
She is buried in the CWGC cemetery, Heliopolis War Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt, grave 4 B 23.
Any information would be gratefully received at info@fwmpcoventry.org.uk.
Robert Bristow