EILEEN TAKES A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE!

For many it would have been an informative trip to the museum, but for Eileen Younghusband, visiting the Bentley Priory on Thursday was an experience of enormous nostalgia.

Bentley Priory

The cause of her visit was for the commemoration of Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding - the man who led the team of officers working with Radar information collected from the stations around Britain's coast to detect enemy fire. The day featured a reveal of the site's recreation of the famous Filter Room - where Eileen worked relentlessly during WW2 when detecting enemy V2 rockets headed for Britain. She was accompanied by eight other WAAF veterans as part of the event's VIP guests.

The unveiling of the Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding statuette

The Filter Room was of vital importance to the outcome of the Battle of Britain, with the air-raid warnings a direct result of the WAAF's work in calculating the necessary information to detect where and when potential attacks were to occur.

However, the day was made even more significant due to the attendance of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

Eileen was able to share a few moments of chatter with Prince Charles, speaking about her experiences of the war. In a bizarre reflection of history, they were surrounded by commemorative bronze statues of the various members who worked in the Filter Room - one of which was modelled after Eileen herself. She spoke of the Prince of Wales in high regard, stating that he had "a great sense of humour."

Eileen's statue proudly stands as the display's centrepiece

Ultimately, the event took place in order to acknowledge the secret efforts made to ensure the protection of Britain. Speaking of the day, Eileen says "For me, it was sadness and joy mixed together - remembering the dedication and comradeship of my fellow WAAF no longer here, but also reliving those days of struggle and hard work. It was a unique day and one which I will never forget."

ITV TRACK EILEEN

Eileen featured in her very own documentary last night (8/11/2012) on ITV Wales.

Welsh Heroes of World War II: Tracking the Enemy depicted Eileen's work in the incredible Filter Rooms, part of the ingenious RADAR chain, during World War II as she tracked planes and incoming bombs over the skies of Britain. Using just their mathematical talents, Eileen and the other WAAF girls were responsible for knowing exactly what was going on in the air. It was their filtered information that determined both the location of airborne aircraft and which were friend or foe.

Eileen speaking on ITV Wales

Tracking the Enemy went beyond the Filter Rooms of World War II in its 25 minute running time and introduced Eileen to the modern system of Air Defence now in place. When asked if she would like to get back to work Eileen replied 'If I could be twenty-one and do it all over again, I would'.

The commemorative window at Bentley priory

A truly inspiring documentary, Tracking the Enemy has helped to highlight the vital work done by the young women of the WAAF who have now been honoured at the home of the Royal Air Force, Bentley Priory, with a stunning stained glass window. For more information on the programme and for a sneak preview of the show, please click here

Eileen's book One Woman's War is currently in the final stages of its transition from page to screen. The one hour documentary tells Eileen's story of her (so far) 91 years, covering everything from her childhood to her marriage to dealing scrap metal for a company in Spain. A truly remarkable life, One Woman's War is due for release in December*.

Watch this space for the One Woman's War trailer coming soon.



*date of releases subject to change.

STAINED GLASS HERO

Eileen has opened the first memorial window commemorating the Dowding system and the work of the Top Secret Filter Rooms.

After an introduction by Air Commodore Gordon, the window was unveiled by Eileen, which represents the WAAF airwomen and Officers who worked on the Dowding system’s use of Radar. Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge then explained the pivotal role played by the system and especially the Filter Room during the Battle of Britain and the Blitz.

Eileen was thrilled to be involved. Her book One Woman's War helped to make the public more aware of the importance of the Dowding System and is partially responsible for the creation of the window. She said: “Together with a fellow WAAF Officer I helped with the design of the window. This took me back to those dark days of war. As I removed the Union flag covering the brass plaque with my name on it, I thought of all who had worked with me and I admit there were tears in my eyes.”

The work of the Filter Room women was kept secret for thirty years. Eileen's book One Woman’s War reveals the truth about these forgotten wartime women, and has recently been nominated for The People's Book Prize. Winston Churchill stressed the little-known importance of this work. He is famous for saying: “All the ascendancy of the Hurricanes and Spitfires would have been fruitless but for the system known as the Dowding System.”

A documentary about Eileen's experiences will be shown on ITV Wales in early November.

Eileen is currently moving forward with her next title, Men I have Known, about the men she has met throughout her life, ranging from Winston Churchill to Dylan Thomas and the tyrant, Idi Amin. It is due to be published by Candy Jar Books later this year.