Dorothea Barron, one of the last few surviving Wrens (Women’s Royal Naval Service) who fought in World War II, has spoken to Big Issue for a special Letter to her Younger Self to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day (on 8 May).
Dorothea, who is 100 years old, joined the Wrens after leaving school and served at the allied base at HMS Hopetoun in Port Edgar, Scotland as a visual signaller. She still teaches yoga and shows no signs of slowing down.
Dorothea said: “I’d tell my younger self that life is a continual battle. You’ve just got to fight it, you won’t get anywhere if you succumb. That’s what life has taught me. I’m afraid you’ve got to have fighting spirit all your life. Never envy anyone, just stand up and make the best of what you have. I was dying to get involved but wasn’t tall enough to join the Wrens. We had to be 5ft 3in and I’m only 5ft 2in. So, I cut cardboard and shoved it in the heels of my shoes to push my height up, and I had this great mop of hair that I brushed up high. They realised I wasn’t tall enough but could see how keen I was and took pity on me. I would have got in somehow. I’d have done anything to get in.”
She added: “We were a group of girls who were desperate not to let the Nazis in. I was so enthusiastic. It was very fulfilling work. We felt we were contributing to the peace of the world.”
“There still aren’t enough opportunities for women. Men still have the upper hand. And men still underestimate women, our abilities and courage. Women have to get on with things and look after the family. I admire women tremendously but most men are mollycoddled these days.”
Dorothea concluded: “I would tell my younger self that war is an absolute waste of everything – time, money, lives. It doesn’t improve anything. It just proves you’ve got some egotistical man trying to improve his status in life. I have nothing but contempt for people who are happy to risk other people’s lives for their own self-glorification. Because men start wars, women don’t. Women are much more sensible and have to pick up the pieces and make life happen again. So here’s to future generations – and I hope they all live in peace.”
