Themes

The Early Wren

Mavis Carter was born in Birmingham in 1896. There was an expectation that Mavis would take part in the war effort during World War One, like many other young women. However, she obtained a letter from her doctor in December 1915, saying she was not 'physically capable of munitions work, and am quite sure she would not stand the exposure to all weather incidental to postal delivery'.

Her father was off fighting in the trenches in France, whilst her brother fought in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).

Mavis had then tried to pursue her art career and began working as an art pupil on the staff of 'Pearson's Magazine'. As with many people, the war intruded upon such personal ambitions and she left soon after joining in 1916. She went on to do some YMCA canteen work, before working for the British Red Cross.

Permit book of Mavis Carter (RNM)

She decided that she wanted to serve as a nurse with the Voluntary Aid Detachments (VAD). Women had to have certificates in first aid and home nursing to become a VAD. Mavis therefore attended a course of instruction in Home Nursing at the Birmingham Centre of the St John Ambulance Association. She successfully passed the course exam in early 1916. Mavis had to leave her family and moved to London to work with the Red Cross at Devonshire House, staying alone at a small hotel. She worked as a VAD from June 1916 to December 1917.

Certificate from St John Ambulance Association (RNM)

Certificate presented by British Red Cross and Order of St John of Jerusalem in England (RNM)

Pamphlet given to VADs (RNM)

Mavis's mother and sister went to live in Torquay. Mavis also briefly went to stay in Torquay and worked at the St Dunstan's hostel there, helping to care for ex-servicemen. Arthur Pearson, a newspaper tycoon who had lost his sight, was President of the National Institute for the Blind. Many men returned from the trenches of World War One having lost their sight in combat. Pearson established St Dunstan's in 1915 and helped open hostels for these servicemen, where they could receive training in various types of employment. The men transformed from recipients of charity into independent and useful members of society.

Katherine Furse, the head of the VADs, resigned in November 1917 and became Director of the newly created Women's Royal Naval Service. Many of the VADs felt greatly saddened by Furse's departure. Mavis wrote in her diary in November 1917 that:

'Mother and I talked it over...and now I've settled it, and have resigned and am going to leave this day fortnight. I feel a queer mixture of joy and sorrow. Sorrow at Dame Katherine leaving Devonshire House and all joy at the idea of being with Mother again and saving Father money.'

Furse offered Mavis a post with the WRNS and she therefore resigned from the Red Cross in late 1917. Her work as a VAD had been voluntary, but the Wrens offered her a chance for paid employment, allowing her pay for her own upkeep. She started working on 3rd January 1918 in the Post Office at the WRNS Headquarters in London as clerical civilian staff.

Mavis became seriously ill during the worldwide epidemic of Spanish Flu in 1919, nearly dying from influenza. She needed to resign from the WRNS shortly before the service disbanded.

Carter received the British Empire Medal (Military Division) on 17th May 1919 in recognition of her war service.