Eileen has returned to the site of a concentration camp where she worked as a translator following the end of World War Two. The notorious Fort Breendonk, situated near Antwerp, was captured by the Nazis during their invasion of Belgium; re-purposed into a prison camp for political prisoners, resistance members and Jews, the site witnessed innumerable tortures and executions until its liberation by Allied forces in 1944.
Eileen was in Belgium to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the death of dambuster Guy Gibson, and hadn't originally intended to revisit Breendonk. Her reluctance is understandable. Not long after VE day, Eileen was drafted to unearth, and to explain to RAF officers, the extent of the atrocities carried out in the camp; on top of the horrors related to her, which included human waterwheels and boiling-water showers, she also had to contend with the Belgian collaborators then imprisoned there.
However, with the assistance of two RAF cadets, ultimately Eileen took the opportunity to, in her own words, 'lay a ghost to rest', and spent a day touring the memorial museum into which the camp has been
converted. Though glad to have done so, Eileen described the trip as 'very sombre'. Much of what she recalls from her service remains: the blood-stained posts to which prisoners were tied prior to being shot, the gallows, the mud field in which prisoners were buried up to their neck.
www.candyjarbooks.co.uk
Showing posts with label eileen younghusband. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eileen younghusband. Show all posts
Monday, 6 October 2014
Thursday, 11 September 2014
WAR HEROES' REUNION
Eileen Younghusband, author of One Woman’s War, joined eighty of her fellow veterans at Bletchley
Park this week to mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of operations beginning at
the site. Now a museum, the code-breaking
and intelligence operations conducted at the mansion are credited with
shortening the Second World War by ‘two to four years’.
For many decades after the end of the war, employees of
Bletchley Park were so tight-lipped about their top-secret work that Churchill labelled
them ‘the geese that laid the golden eggs and never cackled’. However, with a major
new film on their operations soon to be released, recognition for, and interest
in, the team that cracked the enigma cipher is at an all-time high.
Eileen herself joined the war effort when she was nineteen,
in 1941, and served as a Filterer Officer on RAF bases across the country. Her own story went untold for years, she, like
her colleagues, having signed the
Official Secrets Act; it is now available in One Woman’s War, an autobiography that is a testament to the
invaluable work of the WAAF in the fight against fascism.
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
CURTAIN UP
Eileen Younghusband’s One Woman’s War has been turned into a play for the first time! Two French school students took on the task and the curtain goes up today.
Eileen was thrilled to receive an email from Parisian students Isaure and Elvire who had chosen to base their school history project on One Woman’s War. The sixteen-year-olds felt Eileen’s book was an excellent resource for their presentation on Women in the RAF and contacted her with a few questions. Eileen has been in regular contact with the pair, one of whom is playing her in the assessed performance, and wishes them the best of luck with their upcoming exams.
Eileen was thrilled to receive an email from Parisian students Isaure and Elvire who had chosen to base their school history project on One Woman’s War. The sixteen-year-olds felt Eileen’s book was an excellent resource for their presentation on Women in the RAF and contacted her with a few questions. Eileen has been in regular contact with the pair, one of whom is playing her in the assessed performance, and wishes them the best of luck with their upcoming exams.
Sunday, 16 March 2014
EILEEN APPEARS ON EGGHEADS
Candy Jar author Eileen Younghusband had an exciting opportunity to take part in the BBC TV show 'Eggheads' recently. Taking on the Eggheads as part of a 'People's Book Prize' team, Eileen battled it out over a range of topics including her specialty, Food and Drink.
Eileen has to remain tight-lipped about the outcome until the show is broadcast, but in the meantime, here's a picture of her and the rest of the gang on the day of filming:
Eileen has authored two titles with Candy Jar Books: One Womans' War and Men I Have Known, which are available via the usual outlets as well as direct from Candy Jar.
www.candyjarbooks.co.uk
Eileen has to remain tight-lipped about the outcome until the show is broadcast, but in the meantime, here's a picture of her and the rest of the gang on the day of filming:
Eileen has authored two titles with Candy Jar Books: One Womans' War and Men I Have Known, which are available via the usual outlets as well as direct from Candy Jar.
www.candyjarbooks.co.uk
Monday, 30 September 2013
WATERSTONES WELCOMES EILEEN!
To promote the release of her latest book Men I Have Known, Eileen spent Saturday signing copies in Waterstones Cardiff.
 |
| Eileen with her books and PBP trophy. |
Eager to speak with the public, Eileen was able to talk about her time in the Secret Filter Room during WW2 with war enthusiasts, as well as any passer-by with a hint of curiosity.
It gave her a chance to speak about the impressive range of men she has met throughout her eventful life, as covered in the her fascinating new book Men I Have Known. The list includes Dylan Thomas, Rex Harrison, John Barrowman and even Idi Amin - all having varied degrees of impact on Eileen herself.
Click here to order your copy.
Monday, 16 September 2013
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.
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 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."
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."
 |
| 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."
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
ONE WOMAN'S WAR AND THE PEOPLE'S BOOK PRIZE - VIDEO
In May this year, Candy Jar author Eileen Younghusband was thrilled to learn that her book 'One Woman's War' won the People's Book Prize for non-fiction.
One Woman’s War is a personal account of war as a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) and gives a unique insight into life in the top secret filter rooms of World War Two.
Eileen was overjoyed in receiving the prize – attending the award ceremony at Stationer's Hall in London. She said: “I would like to thank everybody for voting for me. I am delighted. However, I do feel some of the recognition must go to the small band of women who went to war and contributed to victory in the Filter Rooms of RAF Fighter Command in the defence of Britain. I dedicate this award to all of them.”
You can watch a video interview with Eileen here:
\
The People’s Book Prize is a literary competition open to all published authors and judged solely by the general public. The annual event presented its first awards in 2010 following the death of its founding patron Dame Beryl Bainbridge DBE.
One Woman's War by Eileen Younghusband is available as a paperback priced £8.99. A DVD version, featuring historical footage from WW2, can also be bought from Candy Jar Books.
www.onewomanswar.co.uk
www.candyjarbooks.co.uk
One Woman’s War is a personal account of war as a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) and gives a unique insight into life in the top secret filter rooms of World War Two.
Eileen was overjoyed in receiving the prize – attending the award ceremony at Stationer's Hall in London. She said: “I would like to thank everybody for voting for me. I am delighted. However, I do feel some of the recognition must go to the small band of women who went to war and contributed to victory in the Filter Rooms of RAF Fighter Command in the defence of Britain. I dedicate this award to all of them.”
You can watch a video interview with Eileen here:
\
The People’s Book Prize is a literary competition open to all published authors and judged solely by the general public. The annual event presented its first awards in 2010 following the death of its founding patron Dame Beryl Bainbridge DBE.
One Woman's War by Eileen Younghusband is available as a paperback priced £8.99. A DVD version, featuring historical footage from WW2, can also be bought from Candy Jar Books.
www.onewomanswar.co.uk
www.candyjarbooks.co.uk
Friday, 5 July 2013
MEN I HAVE KNOWN LAUNCHES AT COWBRIDGE BOOK FESTIVAL
Author Eileen has published her second title through Candy Jar Books, Men I Have Known.
Not a straightforward autobiography, Men I Have Known is a tribute to the variety, the skills and the different characters of the huge range of people she has come across during a long life enriched by travel and adventure but also coloured by more than its fair share of tragedy. Giving a unique, intimate and personal perspective on some of the most influential men of the twentieth century, as well as some characters hitherto unknown, Eileen writes about Winston Churchill, Rex Harrison, Dylan Thomas, members of NASA, musicians at Glyndebourne, actors, caterers, soldiers, politicians, and even Idi Amin!
Eileen was interview by radio and TV broadcaster Roy Noble and you can watch it here:
The book is now available via all good book stores, online and via the Candy Jar website.
www.candyjarbooks.co.uk
Not a straightforward autobiography, Men I Have Known is a tribute to the variety, the skills and the different characters of the huge range of people she has come across during a long life enriched by travel and adventure but also coloured by more than its fair share of tragedy. Giving a unique, intimate and personal perspective on some of the most influential men of the twentieth century, as well as some characters hitherto unknown, Eileen writes about Winston Churchill, Rex Harrison, Dylan Thomas, members of NASA, musicians at Glyndebourne, actors, caterers, soldiers, politicians, and even Idi Amin!
Eileen was interview by radio and TV broadcaster Roy Noble and you can watch it here:
The book is now available via all good book stores, online and via the Candy Jar website.
www.candyjarbooks.co.uk
Friday, 31 May 2013
EILEEN APPEARS IN THE SOUTH WALES ECHO!
Hot off her success at The People's Book Prize awards ceremony and her British Empire Medal (BEM), Eileen finds herself getting some well-deserved recognition for her achievments in today's edition of the South Wales Echo:
 |
| Eileen Younghusband with her award-winning book 'One Woman's War'. |
Thursday, 30 May 2013
EILEEN WINS PEOPLE'S BOOK PRIZE!
Candy Jar Books is pleased to announce that author Eileen Younghusband has been named winner of The People’s Book Prize in the non-fiction 2012/2013 category.
Beating the competition of twelve other entries, it marks a proud moment in Eileen’s extraordinary life, as well as being a significant development in Candy Jar’s publishing career. The national literary prize, The People’s Book Prize had been accepting votes since reopening on May 21st. Candy Jar Books had two finalists shortlisted for the prize, Terry Cooper and Eileen Younghusband.
Both published by Cardiff-based Candy Jar Books, 91-year-old Eileen Younghusband’s book One Woman’s War had been shortlisted in the non-fiction category while Terry Cooper’s Kangazang!: Star Stuff beat other titles to become a nominated finalist in the fiction category of the competition.
With this proud victory comes another day of celebration. Tomorrow (Thursday) Eileen is attending a Buckingham Palace garden party to receive her British Empire Medal (BEM). The British Empire Medal is awarded to individuals for civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown.
Eileen was overjoyed in getting the prize. She said: “I would like to thank everybody for voting for me. I am delighted. However, I do feel some of the recognition must go to the small band of women who went to war and contributed to victory in the Filter Rooms of RAF Fighter Command in the defence of Britain. I dedicate this award to all of them.”
The People’s Book Prize is a literary competition open to all published authors and judged solely by the general public. The annual event presented its first awards in 2010 following the death of its founding patron Dame Beryl Bainbridge DBE. Eileen wrote her book to help raise the awareness of the fundamental work of the Filter Room during the Second World War.
One Woman’s War is a personal account of war as a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). She often conducts talks within the community and has recently appeared on the BBC’s The One Show in a short film discussing V2 rockets. Her book has even been endorsed by the likes of John Barrowman and Carwyn Jones.
Kangazang! Star Stuff is the second book of the hilarious Kangazang! Sci-Fi trilogy. The books have received rave reviews from the likes of former Doctor Who, Colin Baker and Starburst magazine who described his writing as “better than [Douglas] Adams”.
Although both Eileen and Terry are indeed pleased to have made it to the finalists, Eileen’s victory as winner of the non-fiction category serves as a fine example of a thrilling and unique perspective on one of Britain’s ‘darkest hours’, giving readers access to a previously secretive operation. Eileen and Candy Jar Books are both very grateful for all votes received, resulting in a momentous and proud moment for both parties involved.
For her next project, Eileen will release a book entitled Men I have Known – a chronicling of her various encounters in 91 years with many men of the world including Dylan Thomas, Idi Amin and Rex Harrison. Beyond the format of autobiography, it will instead focus on the difference and range of all the men that Eileen has met, providing an insightful perspective on the 20th Century and its key moments. Voting reopened on the 21st May and continued until the awards ceremony on 29th May.
One Woman's War by Eileen Younghusband is available as a paperback priced £8.99.
www.onewomanswar.co.uk
www.candyjarbooks.co.uk
 |
| From left to right: TPBP Winners: Griselda Heppel (Ante’s Inferno), Tatiana Wilson (TPBP Founder), Eileen Younghusband (One Woman’s War), Frederick Forsyth CBE (TPBP Patron), Tony Humpreys (TPBP Director), Amy Elliott-Smith (A Guide to Becoming Distinctly Average), William Ayot (E-Mail From the Soul) |
Eileen was overjoyed in getting the prize. She said: “I would like to thank everybody for voting for me. I am delighted. However, I do feel some of the recognition must go to the small band of women who went to war and contributed to victory in the Filter Rooms of RAF Fighter Command in the defence of Britain. I dedicate this award to all of them.”
The People’s Book Prize is a literary competition open to all published authors and judged solely by the general public. The annual event presented its first awards in 2010 following the death of its founding patron Dame Beryl Bainbridge DBE. Eileen wrote her book to help raise the awareness of the fundamental work of the Filter Room during the Second World War.
One Woman’s War is a personal account of war as a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). She often conducts talks within the community and has recently appeared on the BBC’s The One Show in a short film discussing V2 rockets. Her book has even been endorsed by the likes of John Barrowman and Carwyn Jones.
Kangazang! Star Stuff is the second book of the hilarious Kangazang! Sci-Fi trilogy. The books have received rave reviews from the likes of former Doctor Who, Colin Baker and Starburst magazine who described his writing as “better than [Douglas] Adams”.
Although both Eileen and Terry are indeed pleased to have made it to the finalists, Eileen’s victory as winner of the non-fiction category serves as a fine example of a thrilling and unique perspective on one of Britain’s ‘darkest hours’, giving readers access to a previously secretive operation. Eileen and Candy Jar Books are both very grateful for all votes received, resulting in a momentous and proud moment for both parties involved.
 |
| Eileen wins the TPBP for Non-Fiction |
For her next project, Eileen will release a book entitled Men I have Known – a chronicling of her various encounters in 91 years with many men of the world including Dylan Thomas, Idi Amin and Rex Harrison. Beyond the format of autobiography, it will instead focus on the difference and range of all the men that Eileen has met, providing an insightful perspective on the 20th Century and its key moments. Voting reopened on the 21st May and continued until the awards ceremony on 29th May.
One Woman's War by Eileen Younghusband is available as a paperback priced £8.99.
www.onewomanswar.co.uk
www.candyjarbooks.co.uk
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
PEOPLE'S BOOK PRIZE TONIGHT
A final word of encouragement to those that haven't voted yet for the People's Book Prize: with mere hours away before the winners are announced later on tonight, now is your final chance to have your say in who should be the victor!
With Eileen Younghusband's One Woman's War as part of the line-up (alongside Terry Cooper's Kangazang! Star Stuff) we are officially excited about tonight's event!
We have all worked to create something we are immensely proud of here at Candy Jar, and wish good luck to both Eileen and Terry in what is surely an exciting time for them as well!
Click on the link and cast your vote. You can find Eileen's One Woman's War under the 'non-fiction' category, and Terry Cooper's Kangazang under 'ficton'.
Get on it!:www.peoplesbookprize.com/finalist.php
With Eileen Younghusband's One Woman's War as part of the line-up (alongside Terry Cooper's Kangazang! Star Stuff) we are officially excited about tonight's event!
We have all worked to create something we are immensely proud of here at Candy Jar, and wish good luck to both Eileen and Terry in what is surely an exciting time for them as well!
Click on the link and cast your vote. You can find Eileen's One Woman's War under the 'non-fiction' category, and Terry Cooper's Kangazang under 'ficton'.
Get on it!:www.peoplesbookprize.com/finalist.php
Thursday, 16 May 2013
CELEBRATING THE DAMBUSTERS
Little did I realise when I reported for duty at 1600 hours for the eight hour evening watch on May 16th 1943 what was ahead in the next few hours. Nor did I imagine that I would be part of the Filter Room team at Fighter Command HQ, Bentley Priory, tracking the flight of the Dambusters on their famous raid on the Mohne, Sorbe and Eder Dams on the Ruhr.
The Bomber Command teams, consisting of nineteen aircraft from 617 Squadron, left RAF Scampton on the night of 16th May in three groups. The first group was led by Squadron Leader Guy Gibson and included Mickie Martin, seconded from the Royal Australian Air Force. The second and third group followed at regular intervals. They were carrying the new “earthquake” bouncing bomb, invented by Barnes Wallis, scientist, engineer and inventor. The object was to drop their bombs on the approach to the dam wall so that it would be breached and cause vast flooding throughout the Ruhr area. This was where the majority of the vast manufacturing facilities were, producing Germany’s war weapons.
We picked them up as they left the British coast, heading for Germany and crossing via Holland. Flying low in order to evade German Radar, we were able to track them with our Chain Low Radar units. We had no idea of the importance of this mission. History tells us that the first wave managed successfully to drop two bombs breaching the Mohnesee dam. The following groups were not so successful. However, sufficient damage was done to put many factories out of action for some months and because of the flooding of agricultural land, cripple food production for many years. Sadly, many of the foreign slave workers from Belgian, Holland and France, employed in making armaments, were also killed.
When we picked up the aircraft tracks on their return, it was obvious we had lost a large number of aircraft in this operation. We were always advised of the squadrons operating and frequently several of the Filter Room personnel would have family or boy friends amongst the crews. Yet, they never failed in their duties, continuing to plot, to filter or to tell – the necessary tasks in this vital part of the Dowding System, which defended our shores and tracked our air crews.
Years later in the sixties, when running The Duke Hotel at Bratton, I had the privilege of meeting Mickie Martin and other members of that memorable operation when they called in for a meal during a reunion. On learning that my husband and I were both wartime members of the Royal Air Force, in no time a party developed and we played one of the games the crews indulged when letting off steam after an operation. Everyone would crouch on the floor, blindfolded and clutching a rolled newspaper. The object was to target a fellow player. If we managed to hit him with our paper, they were then out of the game until there was only one left – the winner then enjoyed free drinks for the rest of the night.
And now seventy years later on this special anniversary, the memories all come flooding back.
Eileen
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
EILEEN APPEARS ON THE ONE SHOW!
Author Eileen Younghusband recently appeared on BBC's The One Show, talking about how she helped track Hitler's V2 rockets during World War Two.
www.candyjarbooks.co.uk
www.onewomanswar.co.uk
www.candyjarbooks.co.uk
www.onewomanswar.co.uk
Monday, 22 April 2013
EILEEN APPEARS IN THE TIMES!
Author Eileen Younghusband appeared in the Times newspaper today in an article that talks about her time as a WW2 WAAF officer as well as her upcoming book 'Men I Have Known' which gives an account of the numerous interesting men she's met over the course of her life.
Eileen is no stranger to publicity having previously appeared on BBC Breakfast and BBC Radio Wales. She will also soon be featuring on BBC's The One Show where she will be demonstrating how she used her keen maths skills to track Hitler's deadly V2 rockets.
You can read the full article online (via subscription) here.
www.candyjarbooks.co.uk
Monday, 25 February 2013
EILEEN ON THE ROY NOBLE SHOW
Author of One Woman's War and Men I Have Known, Eileen Younghusband has made her most recent public appearance on BBC Wales' Roy Noble show.
During her interview Eileen tells of her historical surname, receiving late-night phone calls from Hollywood screenwriter Robert Towne, and receiving the honour of a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to lifelong learning. Eileen will receive her medal this summer from a Lord-Lieutenant and will also attend this year's garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Listen to Eileen's interview here.
One Woman's War is available now from www.candy-jar.co.uk/books/onewomanswar.html
The One Woman's War DVD is also available now from www.candy-jar.co.uk/books/owwdvd.html
During her interview Eileen tells of her historical surname, receiving late-night phone calls from Hollywood screenwriter Robert Towne, and receiving the honour of a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to lifelong learning. Eileen will receive her medal this summer from a Lord-Lieutenant and will also attend this year's garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Listen to Eileen's interview here.
One Woman's War is available now from www.candy-jar.co.uk/books/onewomanswar.html
The One Woman's War DVD is also available now from www.candy-jar.co.uk/books/owwdvd.html
Friday, 4 January 2013
EILEEN YOUNGHUSBAND BEM
Candy Jar is proud to announce that author Eileen Younghusband has been recognised on the 2013 New Years honour list!
Eileen has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to lifelong learning; she was delighted and surprised to receive the news. As a student at the Cardiff University Centre for Lifelong Learning, she obtained a degree aged 87 and has continued to campaign against cuts to adult education.
The British Empire Medal, also referred to as "the people's medal", is awarded for meritorious civilian or military service worthy of recognition. Although established in 1922, use of the award was suspended from 1992 until last year when it was revived as part of the Queen's birthday celebrations.
Eileen will be presented with the award in her home county by a Lord-Lieutenant, a representative of the Crown, and is excited to attend this year's garden party at Buckingham Palace in the summer.
ITV News
BBC Wales
www.candy-jar.co.uk
Eileen has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to lifelong learning; she was delighted and surprised to receive the news. As a student at the Cardiff University Centre for Lifelong Learning, she obtained a degree aged 87 and has continued to campaign against cuts to adult education.
The British Empire Medal, also referred to as "the people's medal", is awarded for meritorious civilian or military service worthy of recognition. Although established in 1922, use of the award was suspended from 1992 until last year when it was revived as part of the Queen's birthday celebrations.
Eileen will be presented with the award in her home county by a Lord-Lieutenant, a representative of the Crown, and is excited to attend this year's garden party at Buckingham Palace in the summer.
ITV News
BBC Wales
www.candy-jar.co.uk
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
EILEEN TALKS ABOUT HER VALUES ON RADIO WALES
Eileen has appeared on Radio Wales, talking to Phil George about the values that helped her as an officer in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force in World War Two.
You can hear the broadcast via iPlayer here.
www.candy-jar.co.uk
Friday, 30 November 2012
EILEEN'S BLETCHLEY PARK PODCAST
In September, Eileen Younghusband (author of One Woman's War) had the honour of visiting Bletchley Park during the Veterans weekend to give a talk on the Filter Room, the lynchpin of Air Chief Marshall Dowding’s system of the use of the Radar chain. She described it as a secret kept longer than that of Bletchley Park.
You can listen to Eileen's talk via the Bletchley Park podcast here:
One Woman's War is available now from Candy Jar Books.
www.candyjarbooks.co.uk
www.onewomanswar.co.uk
You can listen to Eileen's talk via the Bletchley Park podcast here:
One Woman's War is available now from Candy Jar Books.
www.candyjarbooks.co.uk
www.onewomanswar.co.uk
Friday, 9 November 2012
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.
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'.
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.
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 |
 |
| The commemorative window at Bentley priory |
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.
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
WHY I WRITE...
I decided to do a little self-analysis and came up with the following results!
Why I Write...
I wrote to record but now
I write to reveal,
I write to remember
I write to connect with the past,
I write to influence the future,
I write to savour the present,
I write for pleasure or to overcome pain,
I write when I’m glad, when I’m sad, when I’m lonely,
I write with spontaneity mostly, with effort occasionally,
I write as if I'm talking to a friend,
I write frequently,
I write letters and poems, prose and reports,
I write of the good in the world and the bad,
I write always in hope of a reader,
I write prepared to be criticised, condemned or congratulated,
I write because I love words and the effect of words,
I write to my friends every Christmas with a report of the year,
I write for my own satisfaction and hopefully others pleasure,
I write to keep in touch,
I write when I cannot sleep,
I write to forget,
I write and I write and I write.
Eileen Younghusband
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