New pictures revealed of ATS women killed in Yarmouth atrocity

The atrocity was the biggest single loss of British army women during the conflict, when 26 members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) lost their lives on May 11, 1943.

The images of four of the victims were shared as the 80th anniversary of the raid was commemorated on Sunday, May 14, at events across the UK. 

ATS women on parade during the Second World War. (Image: Imperial War Museum)

On the morning of May 11 1943, the biggest loss of female army life in British history took place, when 26 servicewomen were killed by bombs dropped by enemy Focke-Wulf fighter planes on their quarters in Great Yarmouth.

Only one woman survived, and the youngest killed, Private Lilian Grimmer from Great Yarmouth, was only 18-years-old.   

READ MORE: Local author tells the human stories of the bombed port during the wartime years

The ATS hostel on North Drive in Great Yarmouth after the raid on May 11, 1943. (Image: WRAC Association)

Eighty years later, the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association (WRAC Association) organised the first coordinated event to remember and honour the 26 women who died whilst serving in the ATS.

The women who had joined the army came from various locations across England and Scotland, and were serving at their quarters in Great Yarmouth. 

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Enid Line, 23, from Crouch End. (Image: WRAC Association)

Kathleen Mary Gaunt, 20, from Bingley. (Image: WRAC Association)

The main commemoration event took place in Great Yarmouth at the site of the original ATS accommodation where the women were killed.

It was led by veteran Padre the Rev Susan Wing, and the WRAC Association’s National Standard Bearer, and attended by the Mayor and High Steward of Great Yarmouth alongside representatives from organisations such as the Royal British Legion, as well as relatives of the servicewomen who lost their lives. 

Mollie Carter, from Sheffield. (Image: WRAC Association)

Sgt Viola Wells, maiden name Marriott, when she was 18-years-old. (Image: WRAC Association)

Paula Rogers, CEO of the WRAC Association, said: “We must remember the sacrifice made by these women, killed while serving their country.  

“The WRAC Association charity continues to work in honour of our servicewomen, alive and deceased, ensuring that none are forgotten," she added.

A Focke-Wulf 190 plane of the type used in the raid on the ATS billet in Great Yarmouth. (Image: WRAC Association)

Eyewitness account of the bombing 

Eric A Beckett, now 87 and living in Australia, was eight-years-old when he witnessed the bombing. 

“Coming towards us was what looked like a torpedo, it was almost touching the sea," he said. 

He heard explosions further south before peering over to see a building collapsing across North Drive with lots of dust coming from it.

Then all went quiet, except for explosions around the town.

The aftermath of the bombing on North Drive in Great Yarmouth. (Image: WRAC Association)

"Outside was a lady covered from head to toe in soot," Mr Beckett said. 

"It was our mother looking for us. It wasn’t until a day or so later that we realised that the house we saw collapsing across the North Drive was the same house where we had played games with the ATS girls.

AN ATS women looking after a vehicle. (Image: Imperial War Museum)

A ceremony pays tribute to the 26 ATS women killed in a bombing raid in Great Yarmouth in 1943. (Image: WRAC Association)

"That so many had died shocked us. Those ATS girls, who gave us so much joy, have always had a special place in my heart.”