8th January 2026 • The HERALD • Page 27 v INDEPENDENT, LOCAL AND PROUD v UPVC, WOODEN DOOR, WINDOW SPECIALIST LOCK PROBLEMS? We Can Help with ALL types of Locks • Fix or Replace • Gain Entry 24hr Emergency Call Outs • Specialised Non-Destructive Entries • Safe Unlocking Expertise • Broken Key Removals • Insurance Purpose Lock Changes & Repairs • Swift Burglary Repairs, Extra Door & Window Security Upgrades • Police Approved Keysafes – Emergency Boarding • Anti-Burglar Bars/Grilles For Windows & Doors, • Free Security Checks • Crime Prevention Advice Awarded Police Recognition, Donald Bugsy Edwards • All Work Guaranteed • No Call Out Charge • No VAT YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT LOCKSMITH BE WISE CALL KEYWISE 07453 327708 or 023 8155 0025 24 HOUR SERVICE Free Estimates • Fully Insured • Quality Service Tel: 023 8194 0878 • Mobile: 07710 464093 Email: mark@markparsonsdecorating.co.uk Web: www.markparsonsdecorating.co.uk Interior & Exterior Painting & Decorating Services PW Bathroom Installations Call 07778 345 124 Email: petewilliams21@hotmail.co.uk Design, Supply & Fit High Quality Bathrooms in Southampton and surrounding areas Over 20 years experience Fully Insured - Free Quotation For more pictures of our work visit: @pw_bathroom_installations PW Bathroom Installations The Heroic Last Stand of Private Nora Caveney by Marc Heighway Marc is available as a guest speaker to deliver local history talks. Find out more at nfhwa.org/speakers During the Second World War, women were not allocated into combat roles. But despite not being permitted to pull a trigger, they still worked in very dangerous jobs. One example is the women of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). Over a quarter of a million women served in the ATS in a variety of duties such as driving, cooking, and clerical work, and later taking on roles operating searchlights, and working on anti-aircra gunsites (though they were not permitted to re them). roughout the New Forest it’s still possible to nd evidence of where these brave women were put into action. An example is Yew Tree Heath carpark which was one of many anti-aircra gun positions on high points in the area. You can also nd cut outs where searchlights once sat, one being at Matley Wood outside of Lyndhurst. During the war sixty-seven members of the ATS were killed in action, nine died of wounds, 313 were wounded and a further sixteen were posted missing. To date, I’ve not found any evidence that any women of the ATS were killed in action in the New Forest. However, the same cannot be said on the other side of Southampton Water. In the early hours of 17th April 1942, eighteen-year-old Private Nora Caveney was struck by a ying piece of shrapnel whilst working on the predictor at an anti-aircra gun site close to Weston Shore, Southampton. She was the rst woman of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) to be killed during the Second World War. Nora was born on 10th May 1923 in Todmorden, West Yorkshire. She worked as a cotton bobbin winder before volunteering for military service. Like many young women of her generation, she was eager to contribute to the war e ort. It’s very possible that she lied about her age to be accepted into the 148th (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircra Regiment, Royal Artillery. It was one of the rst British units to include women in operational anti-aircra roles, working alongside male soldiers in mixed regiments. Nora was trained in the use of radiolocation devices, predictor height nders, and range- nding equipment. is meant she was able to track enemy aircra so the men could re the guns accurately. A er completing her training, she was posted to the front-line gun site at Westwood Z Battery. e battery was situated close to the Weston Shore, in north-westerly direction from Netley on Southampton Water. is was an important strategic location, and vulnerable to Lu wa e attacks given the close proximity of Southampton docks and town. e natural cover of the woodland edge was perfect for concealing the battery. e concrete bases still remain today, hidden amongst the undergrowth. On the night into the early hours of 16th to 17th April 1942, the air raid sirens sounded. Nora and her fellow ATS personnel leapt from their bunks, donned tin helmets and gas masks, and rushed into position. In what could have been her rst live engagement, Nora took her place operating the range nder, helping direct the antiaircra guns as they opened re. As the guns red their second salvo, a bomb exploded some distance from Nora Caveney aged 18 in ATS uniform the site. Flying shrapnel struck the sandbags surrounding the concrete predictor pit where Nora and other ATS women were working. She was hit and fatally wounded. Despite her injury, Nora reportedly held her position and maintained her target until she collapsed. Another female ATS operator immediately took her place, and the guns continued ring without pause. e raid lasted nearly an hour. e courage and professionalism displayed by Nora and her comrades ensured that the battery remained operational throughout. Private Nora Caveney was buried with full military honours at Netley Military Cemetery. She lies in Grave 2210. She was just eighteen years old. If you are ever there, please do pay your respects. Hythe Fire Station Breakfast Club e Hythe Fire Station Breakfast Club is a monthly event for former and serving 44 Hythe Fire Station members to enjoy the social interaction and a catch up over a co ee and a breakfast. Ex-serving and serving members from 49 Beaulieu and 58 Hardley Fire Stations are also very welcome to attend. e Hythe Fire Station Breakfast Club will meet up monthly at Seashell’s Resturant & Bar, Hythe at 10am on alternate first Thursday’s and Saturday’s of the month. e next 4 months Breakfast Club Dates are: Thursday 8th January, Saturday 7th February, Thursday 5th March and Saturday 4th April. For more details please contact Phil Gittings on: 07850 267616 or nd additional details on the Hythe Fire Station Facebook page.
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