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This album is inscribed on the front "Souvenir de Belgique " and contains photographs and autographs collected by Margaret Jane bell nee Roberts during training and service in the Auxillary Training Service from October 1943 to September 1945.
It exists because she decided to cope with her bereavement by enlisting.
Married in May 1942, age 20 to a Royal engineer, Frederick Bell she was widowed in May 1943.
As a private Class 1 she had various technical experience as an operational anti-aircraft operator serving with unit 531/155th Regiment,Heavy Armoured Division in North West Europe - B.A.O.R.
The photographs record her experiences training in England and working in Antwerp; her colleagues and friends, Blue Peter, a Doodle Bug, Victory and Victory in Europe Day.
The album's final inscription inside the back cover reads
Met Cyril
Thursday 7 July 1945
After her death I found the album,researched her war years,was amazed and proud that my mother at 21, eldest of 10,no schooling after 14, working as a bus conductress,left her family to play her part in the war in an attempt to cope with her grief.
She never revealed the existence of the album or the war medal 1939/45 she was awarded.