Pictured right: Veronica, at Veterans Memorial Lodge.
At just 17, Veronica “Ronnie” Bennett-Butcher volunteered for the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in England, moved by the bombings in her London neighbourhood. Without telling her parents, she joined on the first day she could.
Training as a flight mechanic, she quickly learned what usually takes four years in just twelve months.
Part of her job included flying on test flights after servicing the aircraft engines, mainly on the Waddington, Halifax, and Lancaster.
One stand-out event happened over the city of Reading when a bold pilot, breaking from the usual routine, flew low over the city, giving residents what Ronnie describes as “a real scare!” He also daringly flew the plane under a bridge that crossed the River Thames.
When they returned to the airfield, their commanding officers and a stern sergeant were there to meet them. The pilot was promptly reassigned, and Ronnie received a severe reprimand for not wearing a parachute during this unconventional escapade.
In her memoir, From Veronica With Love, she shares stories like this, as well as one about May 8th, 1945, or VE Day. “People were running around everywhere, shouting and laughing, as well as crying.” Not knowing what was happening, Ronnie went to the guardhouse to find out what the commotion was about and learned that Mr. Churchill had just announced on the radio, “Peace Has Been Declared.”
Recently, Ronnie recounted her wartime experiences in an interview on CTV News, giving a glimpse into her extraordinary past.
At 98 years old, and needing more support in her day to day living, Ronnie moved to Veterans Memorial Lodge in the spring of 2023.
Like all Canadian veterans, Ronnie gave up so much so that we can enjoy the freedom we have today. It is our honour to serve Ronnie while she lives at Veterans Memorial Lodge, a Broadmead Care Home.
You can help veterans like Ronnie enjoy the comforts of home and simple pleasures by making a donation today.
*** In the early hours of August 21, 2024, Ronnie passed away. Like all Canadian and allied veterans, Ronnie gave up so much so that we can enjoy the freedom we have today. It was our honour to serve Ronnie during her time living at Veterans Memorial Lodge, a Broadmead Care Home.
To obtain permission to use this story in your publication, please contact Connie Dunwoody, Communications Coordinator, at connie.dunwoody@broadmeadcare.com.
