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      2000565 Leading Aircraftwoman Amy Grace Elizabeth Linstead  

She was born 28^th February 1912 at Fulham, London, the daughter of Albert Edward Linstead, (b.1881, Tunbridge Wells.) and Alice Rachel Linstead ( Nee Elbourn),(b. 1880, Cambridge).

She was baptised on 21^st April 1912 at St. Peter’s Church. Fulham. At that time the family were resident at 41 Sherbrooke Road, Fulham and her father was working as a Carman.

In the 1921 Census she is age 9 and living with her parents at 41 Sherbrooke Road, Fulham. Her father is working as a Carman, for Carter, Patterson & Co, General Carriers, at Hurlingham Road, Fulham, S.W.6. Her mother is listed as varying out Domestic Duties. She has one older brother, Frederick John Linstead, age 9, and one older sister Florence May Maud, age 11. All the children were born in Fulham.

In the 1939 Register she was resident as a single woman, with Arthur Martin, a Railway Ticket Collector and Esther Martin at No.18 Dorset Mews, Barnet, London, S.W.6. Her occupation was given as Sewing Machine Instructor.

This address was also given as her “Home Address” on enlistment. Mrs Martin above was also given as the person for the authorities to contact in the event of her being a casualty.

Her brother, Francis William Linstead, 13 Eddiscombe Road, Fulham was named as her next-of-kin.

She enlisted in the W.A.A.F. for the Duration of the Present Emergency (D. of P.E.) on 26^th May 1941 via the Inspector of Recruiting, suggesting she had responded to an advert for W.A.A.F. recruitment. She had been employed by Singer Sewing Machines Ltd at 94 King Street, Hammersmith, as a Sewing Machine Instructor

On enlistment she was described as being 5 feet 8 ½ inches tall, a 36 inch chest, with brown eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion. She was noted to have vaccination marks. A mole on her left arm was noted.

On enlistment she is placed in the Reserves on 27^th May 1941, awaiting her calling up notice.

She is posted to R.A.F. Innsworth for basic training on 31^st July 1941, on enrolment she was given the rank of an Aircraftwoman 2^nd Class.

On 26^th May 1941 her trade was given as Aircraft hand/ Fabric Worker.

On 15^th August 1941 she was posted to a Home Posting to No.3 Balloon Centre, Stanmore, Middlesex.

On 24^th September 1941 she was subjected to a Trade Test Board to determine her ability in her role.

On 29^th September 1941 her trade was given as Balloon Rigger / Fabric Worker and she was given a rank of Aircraftwoman 1^st Class. This was because she had been Remustered and on a Trade Test had achieved a score of 62%.

Her annual review on 31^st December 1941 shows she was an Aircraftwoman 1^st Class  and having a Trade of Fabric Worker/ Balloon Rigger and was said to have an Efficiency rated as “Superior”, and her Character was “Very Good”.

On 1^st April 1942 she was given a rank of Leading Aircraftwoman.

Unusually there is no annual review on 31^st December 1942.

Her annual review on 31^st December 1943 shows she was a Leading Aircraftwoman and having a Trade of Balloon Rigger / Fabric Worker and was said to have an Efficiency rated as “Satisfactory”, and her Character was “Very Good”.

She is then admitted to Shenley Hospital, Hertfordshire on 23^rd March 1944 and discharged from there 17^th April 1944. Her medical records are redacted. This had been a psychiatric unit but had been taken over by the government for hospitalisation of servicemen and servicewomen who became ill or injured.

On 29^th July 1944 she was given her first Good Conduct Award- a stripe worn on the sleeve.

On 3^rd September 1944 she was given a War Service Increment in pay for 3 years service.

She is then posted to Biggin Hill on 24^th October 1944.

On 17^th November 1944 she was posted as an Orderly to the Records Office at Gloucester. This was almost certainly due to the fact that Balloon Command was being progressively shut down across the country.

Her annual review on 31^st December 1944 shows she was a Leading Aircraftwoman and having a Trade of Balloon Rigger / Fabric Worker and was said to have an Efficiency rated as “Satisfactory”, and her Character was “Very Good”.

On 3^rd September 1945 she was given a War Service Increment in pay for 4 years service.

On 27^th September 1945 she was posted to No. 105 Personnel Dispersal Centre at R.A.F. Wythall.

On 23^rd November 1945 she was given a Class “A” release.

Her medal entitlement is blank on her service record which suggests that she might not have requested her medals. These can still be retrospectively claimed by the family and are free.

She does not appear to have been in any specific Balloon Barrage Squadron but must have been involved with the Squadrons that came under No. 3 Balloon Centre.

It is possible that she was involved in training others to rig barrage balloons and to repair the damaged balloon fabric.

Compiled by Peter Garwood November 2025.