2019 Walk - 100 Miles for 100 Years of the WRAC Association

100 Miles for 100 Years

Women’s Royal Army Corps Association 1919 – 2019

On Friday 15^th March 2019 I will start my latest 100 Mile Solo Walking Challenge at RMA Sandhurst to finish six days and 100 miles later at Southampton in time to attend the 100^th Anniversary AGM of the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association (incorporating the Q.M.A.A.C. & A.T.S. Old Comrades)

    This year I am walking for two charities the main one being the WRAC Association which celebrates its 100^th Anniversary at its AGM on Saturday 23^rd March. Women have served in the army with distinction in both World Wars and in 1949 their growing role was recognised with the formation of the WRAC. Women served in over 40 different trades in 20 different Arms and Corps. Since World War II members of the WRAC have been deployed in many worldwide conflicts and emergency situations. Since its disbandment in 1992 women continue to serve in the different Arms and Corps of the British Army according to their speciality. 

WRAC Association Reun

In 2008 when I was post-cancer diagnosis and treatment I suffered panic attacks and a crisis of confidence; some members of the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association with whom I had served found and helped  me. The comradeship and support that they and the Association gave me helped (and still helps) fight the demons that a life-threatening illness can produce. 

Sadly, in early 2018, I lost my very good friend Shirley Berry (ex WRAC/RMP) who was instrumental to my joining and getting support from the Association. This year’s walk is dedicated to her memory. I also recently discovered that my mother’s first cousin, Diane Vaughan James, had served in the A.T.S. for the duration of World War 2. 

WRAC Association veterans, now in their 40’s to their 90’s, join together to share memories of times when they served, many of them having put their lives on the line to protect others. It is to thank and honour all these ladies that I undertake this walk.

WRAC Association, Hereford Branch Walking Buddies

     My other charity is the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven a small, local charity that

provides a tranquil setting within the grounds of Worcestershire Royal Hospital for the traumatic process of diagnosing and supporting breast cancer sufferers and making their lives a little more manageable. In 2007 I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. I had a couple of operations & 5 years of treatment. In 2013 I was given the “all-clear” and started my 100 mile annual walking challenges to raise funds for charity. I have since realised that I am not ‘battling’ cancer but ‘living with’ cancer. In August 2017 my breast cancer returned, again aggressive but still localised. I had another series of operations and 20 sessions of radiotherapy which have been very successful. I am grateful for the care & treatment that is organised through the Breast Care Unit.

     To mark the contribution of all women of the ATS, WRAC & those women still serving I will be walking in South East England in mid-March 2019.

I will start on Friday 15^th March at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst; I will walk via the WRAC College site at Camberley where I did my own training, then via the former WRAC Training Centre & Guildford Cathedral, past former ATS/WRAC training sites at Hindhead & Liphook and on to the WRAC Association HQ in Winchester to finish on Wednesday 20^th March in Southampton where the WRAC Association AGM will take place.    

You can donate to my Virgin Money Giving page at:  

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MargaretDaviesWRAC

The WRAC spirit lives on in the WRAC Association through its national and international branch network.

Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re (Gentle in manner, resolute in deed)