Ella Irene Redfern

Ella Irene Redfern, who died in October 2006, joined the MTC and drove staff cars in south east England. Her family think she may have been based at Fort Halstead.

For her, it was an opportunity to leave her oppressive home in Lancashire, and to feel useful. She loved the fact that she was working with people from all walks of life, and the camaderie they enjoyed together. She used to say they would mutter that they were working 'night and day, day and night' but it was remembered with a twinkle of delight, not resentment. In fact, in some ways, I think they were the happiest days of her life.

She met her lifelong friend Betty Mead whilst working in the MTC, and mentioned also that the Pilkington girls (from the glass family) were working there too. It is possible that it was through her work in the MTC that she met her first husband P/O Bryan Richards, from Rhodesia, who was killed in a bombing raid in July 1944, about 5 weeks after they were married. She then met Ken Jones, a rocket scientist who consoled her whilst Bryan was missing, and they later married. They had 3 children Vicky, Penny and Robert.

Ella's family would love to contact anybody who remembers any of them. If you do please send information via this blog.