Veteran Rugby hospital volunteer gets royal approval - The Rugby Observer

Veteran Rugby hospital volunteer gets royal approval

Rugby Editorial 14th Oct, 2015 Updated: 27th Oct, 2016   0

A ROYAL reception welcomed a 92-year-old hospital volunteer from Rugby as the only surviving member of the Civil Defence Association in Coventry.

Mary Lock and her family survived the blitz on November 14 1944 when their house in Three Spires Avenue in Coventry was destroyed by a land mine. Many of Mary’s friends and neighbours died that night and her mother passed away shortly afterwards.

A young Mary Lock during her time as a Fire Guard in the Civil Defence Association.

Undaunted like so many other Coventry residents, she joined the Civil Defence Association and was drawn to the Fire Guard where she became the only female instructor.

She is now believed to be the only surviving member of the association from Coventry and was invited to St Paul’s Cathedral last month to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.




After the service at St Paul’s, Mary was escorted to the Guildhall where she was introduced to Prince Edward. Mary shared some stories of her time in the CDA, ensuring the memory of her Coventry colleagues was recognised on the day.

Prince Edward took a deep interest in Mary’s story, as she showed him photographs from the era.

92-year-old Mary continues her voluntary service to this day as a member of the Friends of St Cross. She regularly staffs the tea bar in the hospital and also helps serve tea to hospital staff and guests.


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