The Royal Air Forces Association is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of RAF veteran Mary Marsden, at the age of 103.
Born on 2 July 1922, Mary joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) in November 1940 with ambitions of being a driver. However, at 4’11” tall, she was considered too short.
Instead, she spent the Second World War as a cook, serving meals to the Bomber Crews under training, initially at RAF Finningley and RAF Wymeswold and later at other locations.
In her later years, Mary shared her experience of her time in the RAF, recounting occasions when the aircraft at RAF Finningley were called upon to fly on operations.
She recalled serving bacon and eggs (severely rationed to the general public), to the crews in the middle of the night as they returned from operations.
Sadly not all the crews made it back – six Blenheim bombers failed to return to RAF Finningley after operations.
Despite the challenges, Mary looked back on her time in the RAF fondly. In a recent interview for the Association’s magazine Air Mail, Mary said: “I look back very fondly on my years of service and they were some of the most enjoyable times of my life.”
It was during her time in the RAF that she met her husband Arthur, who served in the RAF as a Chief Technician. “We spent many happy years together in married quarters and I have so many wonderful memories from those times. I wish I could live them all again to be honest!” said Mary.
Mary was a loyal supporter of the Association throughout her life and was an active and much-loved member of the Sheffield Branch. She also took part in the Poppy Appeal well into her 90s, only stopping when the money she collected became too heavy for her to handle.
We are immensely grateful for Mary’s service to our country and her support of the Association. Our sincerest condolences are with her family and friends at this sad time.
Mary pictured with her friend Jane Crowther and former Squadron Leader Barry Darwin.
