Special invite for Coventry Blitz survivor Mary Lock, 92

[dutchman]

A Coventry veteran volunteer was the special guest at a Battle of Britain commemoration.


Mary Lock is escorted for the day by Sir Neil Thorne at St Paul's Cathedral in London

Mary Lock and her family survived the Coventry Blitz on November 14, 1940, when their house in Three Spires Avenue was destroyed.

Many of Mary’s friends and neighbours perished that night and tragically, her mother died shortly afterwards - believed to be because of the stress under which the family laboured.

Undaunted, Mary joined the Civil Defence and was drawn to the Fire Guard where she became the only female instructor.



Today, Mary is a member of the Civil Defence Association and is believed to be the only surviving member of the association from Coventry.

In recognition of her strength and commitment, Mary was invited to St Paul’s Cathedral in London to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

She was greeted by Sir Neil Thorne, representing the CDA, to whom she emphasised that she was representing her comrades in her attendance.

After a moving service at St Paul’s, Sir Neil escorted Mary to the Guildhall where she was introduced to Prince Edward, who is said to have taken a deep interest in her story.



Now aged 92, Mary continues her voluntary service as a member of the Friends of St Cross charity in Rugby, where she regularly staffs the tea bar in the hospital and also helps serve in the outpatients staff room.

Another of Mary’s proud moments came in 2014, when she presented a bouquet to Princess Alexandra when she visited the hospital to open the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Rehabilitation Centre.