Join us for special Choral Evensong 5.15pm Wednesday 7th May 2025, to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day.
Our Service will include appropriate choral music for the special commemoration.
The service will be followed by a talk with Martin Bisiker:
The WRAC Trailblazing Project and VE Day: A Legacy of Service
Victory in Europe (VE Day) marked a turning point—not just in global history, but in the story of women’s military service in Britain. When the war in Europe ended in May 1945, the vast machinery of wartime Britain began to wind down. The Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS)—formed in 1938 as a temporary measure—had enabled thousands of women to serve in essential non-combatant roles, such as clerks, drivers, and radar operators, supporting the war effort while freeing men for frontline duty.
But as peace returned, so too did traditional gender roles—at least temporarily. The ATS was officially disbanded in 1949, but by that point, a new and more permanent organisation had already emerged: the Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC).
The WRAC was more than a continuation; it was a quiet revolution. Women who served in the WRAC challenged long-standing assumptions about what was “appropriate” for women in uniform. They served in communications, logistics, intelligence, and even conflict zones like Northern Ireland—often performing the same vital roles as their male counterparts, but with little public recognition.
There will be an opportunity to view the exhibition from 4 pm on the day.
Thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Martin Bisiker the Founder and Lead Oral Historian at Legasee Educational Trust set out to interview former WRAC veterans—women who had served with distinction and pride, often in the face of systemic barriers and social expectation. Through their stories, the charity gained powerful insights into:
The resilience and professionalism of WRAC women who kept the Army functioning behind the scenes.
The pride of service, even in roles long overlooked by history.
The evolution of women’s military identity, from temporary wartime necessity to permanent presence in the Armed Forces.
In this talk, Martin will share some of the extraordinary testimonies collected during the Trailblazing project—voices that remind us that while VE Day marked the end of one chapter, it also sowed the seeds for another: a quiet battle for equality, service, and remembrance fought by the women of the WRAC.
As always, there will be hospitality after the services to provide an opportunity to chat.