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Woman, 100, given 'lifelong dream' of a naval cap Woman given 'lifelong dream' of a naval cap on her 100th birthday
(14 days later)
Margaret Grey teared up as she kissed the embroidered letters, spelling out the name of the ship her father worked onMargaret Grey teared up as she kissed the embroidered letters, spelling out the name of the ship her father worked on
A care home resident has fulfilled a "lifelong dream" after being presented with a Royal Naval cap to mark her 100th birthday.A care home resident has fulfilled a "lifelong dream" after being presented with a Royal Naval cap to mark her 100th birthday.
Margaret Grey revealed to staff at St Monica Trust's Charterhouse Care Home, in Keynsham, that she had always longed to follow in her father's military footsteps.Margaret Grey revealed to staff at St Monica Trust's Charterhouse Care Home, in Keynsham, that she had always longed to follow in her father's military footsteps.
He had joined the Royal Navy aged 16, and sailed the world on a number of warships before moving to Bristol and working as an electrician on HMS Flying Fox.He had joined the Royal Navy aged 16, and sailed the world on a number of warships before moving to Bristol and working as an electrician on HMS Flying Fox.
The former headmistress said had she too been offered the chance to serve in the navy, she would "never have become a teacher".The former headmistress said had she too been offered the chance to serve in the navy, she would "never have become a teacher".
Ms Grey said if her father could have seen her now, he would say "well done, that's my girl!"Ms Grey said if her father could have seen her now, he would say "well done, that's my girl!"
Ms Grey had set her sights on joining the navy from an early age - inspired by her father's courage and dedication.Ms Grey had set her sights on joining the navy from an early age - inspired by her father's courage and dedication.
"The only reason I stayed in school after 16 was to get three good A-Levels, so I could go into the executive branch of the Wren's," she said, referring to the then Women's Royal Naval Service."The only reason I stayed in school after 16 was to get three good A-Levels, so I could go into the executive branch of the Wren's," she said, referring to the then Women's Royal Naval Service.
"That kept me working at my books in order to get the qualifications, because they weren't all that keen on women. It was very much a male dominated force.""That kept me working at my books in order to get the qualifications, because they weren't all that keen on women. It was very much a male dominated force."
Ms Grey's ambitious plans ground to a halt when both her parents fell seriously ill, and she could not bring herself to leave them and sail overseas.Ms Grey's ambitious plans ground to a halt when both her parents fell seriously ill, and she could not bring herself to leave them and sail overseas.
Royal Marines warrant officer John Morrish (centre) presented Ms Grey with the capRoyal Marines warrant officer John Morrish (centre) presented Ms Grey with the cap
After studying English Literature at Bristol University, Ms Grey instead began her teaching career at Colston's Girls' School.After studying English Literature at Bristol University, Ms Grey instead began her teaching career at Colston's Girls' School.
She eventually became headmistress at Merrywood Girls School, where she stayed until her retirement in 1984.She eventually became headmistress at Merrywood Girls School, where she stayed until her retirement in 1984.
"Despite not being able to become a Wren, I did eventually warm to teaching and quite enjoyed it," she said."Despite not being able to become a Wren, I did eventually warm to teaching and quite enjoyed it," she said.
"But I'd never have become a teacher if I'd been able to go and serve overseas."But I'd never have become a teacher if I'd been able to go and serve overseas.
"I was so looking forward to earning that lovely cap with the white stripe.""I was so looking forward to earning that lovely cap with the white stripe."
Ms Grey also served as deputy-headmistress at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple SchoolMs Grey also served as deputy-headmistress at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School
However, Ms Grey says finally getting her cap provides a "great deal of sentiment", and serves as a testament to how times have changed.However, Ms Grey says finally getting her cap provides a "great deal of sentiment", and serves as a testament to how times have changed.
"Women can now have a total free access to the navy, and every kind of opportunity of progressing within the force," she said."Women can now have a total free access to the navy, and every kind of opportunity of progressing within the force," she said.
"They are now willing to listen to new ideas, and willing to change things."They are now willing to listen to new ideas, and willing to change things.
"We've now got women who are the captains of the ship," she added."We've now got women who are the captains of the ship," she added.
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