I happened to meet Mrs Wainwright and her family at the recent Summer Fête and discovered some fascinating information which I felt ought to be shared with others. 
Maud was born on the 12th June 1925 being the eldest of seven children (three boys and four girls) and lived in Canning Town.  She married Alfred in 1946 and who served in the Royal Navy on Russian convoys in the Atlantic Ocean and sadly died in 1971 at the age of 48.
 

Resident Mrs Maud Wainwright Receives a Medal and Certificate from Lord Petre, Lord Lieutenant of Essex for her services in the Womens Land Army and Timber Corp

Maud joined the Land Army in 1940 working in Nazeing, Essex and travelling up on the train from Bethnal Green (with her bike) to Broxbourne Station and then cycling to Nazeing.  Usually she would return home on Friday but sometimes she would stay Friday night for the dance in the Church Hall.  She apparently told her mother that there was overtime on Saturday and that was the reason for the stop over but according to Maud the dances were well attended by Italian POWs and she says they were very “good looking”. 

Maud’s time in the Land Army came to an end in 1942 when she returned home to help look after her brothers and sisters and then spent the rest of the war in private service in Lord Beaverbrook’s household in St. John’s Wood. 

In recognition of her work in the Women’s Land Army and Timber Corp, Maud Wainwright was presented with a medal and certificate in recognition.  By all events it was a hectic day, starting at 1.30p.m. with a photo call followed by Jeff Short Band playing music from World War II.  At 2.45 tea was served and a photo call with Lord Petre and Councillor Galione, Chairman of the Council.

Unfortunately, neither David nor his brother could be at the occasion but she was escorted by ladies from Stisted Hall. 

It was a pleasure to meet both David and his wife Jill and, of course, Maud and to thank them for this story.  Incidentally David is a member of Crossed Keys Lodge No. 7808 and although his father was not a Freemason his great uncle by marriage is Fred Gaggs, also a resident at the Hall and who recently celebrated his 100th birthday.  It is a small world.

Andrew R McLeod
Secretary