It was a time when all hands were needed. Women had to support during times of crisis and Elizabeth II learned to drive and repair trucks.
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-living queen in modern history. Unfortunately, on September 8, 2022, she passed away at the age of 96. Her reign lasted more than 70 years and surpassed her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, in her regency time. Nevertheless, before wearing the crown and becoming Elizabeth, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary served in World War II as a driver and military mechanic.
Princess Elizabeth of York was only 13 years old when the war broke out on September 3, 1939. A year later, when on October 13, 1940, and numerous families with young children fled the war, she decided to issue a strong message to his people with the intention of boosting morale.
“Hundreds of you in this country have had to leave your homes and be separated from your mothers and fathers. My sister Margaret Rose and I have you in our thoughts, as we know from experience what it means to be away from those you love. To all of you who live in new places, we send a message of true sympathy and, at the same time, we would like to thank the generous people who have welcomed you into their homes.”
According to National WWII MuseumIn 1943, Princess Elizabeth ceded her land at Windsor Castle to be part of a campaign where the government invested in growing vegetables to combat food shortages during the crisis.
When he turned 16 he made his first inspection of a military regiment and when he reached 18 he joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). This was about the women’s branch of the British Army, which was an effort to bring women into the war.
At that time, women under the age of 30 were required to join the ranks or work in industry. However, King George did not want his daughter to be given a special rank in the army just because of her status. For this reason, and in order not to put her heiress in imminent danger, she started as a second subordinate in the ATS. Although she was just a teenager that was where she learned to drive and repair trucks. She was later promoted to Junior Commander, the equivalent of Captain.
The future queen received an intensive course in driving and mechanics at Aldershot, from March to April 1945. She spent most of her time at the ATS, but did not stay in the country with her companions, as Windsor Castle was close enough like to return every day in the afternoon. Her parents and her sister visited her at the Mechanical Transport Training Section in Camberley, Surrey County