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2271 Section Officer Zena Beatrice Taylor
(later Taylor-Holden)
She
was born Zena Beatrice Richardson in Winchester on 2nd October
1912.
She
was the first of five children born to Charles Harry Richardson (1984-1951)
and Beatrice Richardson (Nee Jerram)(1886-1954).
Beatrice Richardson was not
in good health and so Pattie was taken under the wing of two maiden aunts.
There she was taught how to be
a “Lady”, lessons that stayed with her
throughout her life.
Pattie
had two brothers Charles George Richardson (1914-1990), Wilfred G Richardson
(1888–1917), and two sisters Brenda Mabel
Richardson(1917–1999),
and Thelma Joyce Richardson (1922–2004). She had an uncle Wilfred G Richardson
(1888–1917).
She
went to the County High School in Winchester and became
fluent in several languages and it was there she showed her great
love
of
the sport of fencing.
She
left school at 18 years of age, missing university and becoming a code and
cypher officer. In the summer of 1934, she married David
Taylor
who was an officer in the Royal Air Force. As war loomed nearer, she became
a member of Winston Churchill’s staff. When war was declared, David her
husband was posted off to Ceylon.
It
was at this stage that Pattie decided that her future lay in joining the
Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and she joined Balloon Command.
She
enlisted in July 1940 at Harrogate and eventually became 424725
Airwoman 2nd Class Zena Beatrice Taylor, and she was granted a
commission
for the duration of hostilities as an Assistant Section Officer on probation
in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force on 5th July
1941.
On 20th June 1941 it was
reported at Bedfordshire newspapers that "Many people will remember the
broadcast performance of the
Balloonatics Concert Party, which followed the
immediate success of the show when it was first staged at an R.A.F. station a
few
months ago. This week a second edition of the production is being presented
at the Camp cinema of the Station, and it lacks nothing
of the originality and
sparkle of its predecessor. On Monday a representative of the B.B.C. Outside
Broadcasts Department watched the
show, with a view to broadcasting it again.
Much of the success of the concert party is due to the work of Squadron-Leader
H. Bitschine,
who, besides producing and compeering the show and writing most of
the script, displays no mean/talent as a singer and elocutionist.
He is, ably
assisted by Acting Section Officer Taylor."
The Bedfordshire Times and Independent ran
an advert for this on 1st August 1941.
One of the most
notable of the events in aid of the Air-Raid Distress Fund is the week’s
presentation of The Balloonatics Concert Party
in the Bedford Modern School
Hall. Packed houses have seen the performances of the show, and there can be no
doubt as to the success
of the venture, which is due in large part to the
excellent arrangements of Mr. L. W. Bond, the organizing secretary of the Fund
for Bedford.
The Balloonatics are all personnel of an R.A.F. Station, and they
include several stars of the professional stage. When their show was first
presented, the 8.8.C. were so favourably impressed that they broadcast a
performance of it in the Forces programme. The revised edition,
which is being
presented this week, is undoubtedly much better than its predecessor. and
reaches a remarkably high standard for an amateur
production. For this, much of
the credit must go to Squadron-Leader H. Bitschine. who has written much of the
dialogue and produced the
show, besides taking a goodly share in the
performance. The R.A.F. Station orchestra, which incorporates the R.A.F. Dance
Band (the Aero
Rhythm Boys) provide an added attraction, and their number
includes several names well-known in the world of music. The Musical Director
is
Sergeant. F. Jackson, A.R.A.M. The repertoire of The Balloonatics , who give
their final performance tomorrow (Saturday), comprises
tap-dancing, speciality
acts, vocal items, comedy sketches, and concerted numbers.
On 5th July
1942 she was appointed to be a Section Officer.
Pattie in May 1944
Pattie and friend at unknown location
Pattie in the Officer's Mess during WWII
Pattie at Bushey Park 1944 -the American was
called "Ajax" of 8th U.S.S.A.F.-others unknown.
Pattie at a wedding during WWII
Pattie at a wedding during WWII
David died after
the war had ended and Pattie remained in London and became very well known in
fencing circles. She was part of the fencing
teams representing England in
Commonwealth and Olympic games. She was Fencing Coach for the ladies team and
made several television
appearances demonstrating fencing techniques.
On 14th
December 1954 she was allowed to relinquish her commission and was granted
permission to retain rank from 10th February 1954.
In 1948 she attended a
reunion of No. 30 Group (Balloon Barrage) at the Mayfair Hotel.
When 30 (Balloon Barrage)
Group was formed Flight Lieutenant A. Solomons, Wing Commander Henry F. Tiarks,
Squadron Leader E.W. Josephs,
O.B.E., Squadron Leader Edgar Mann and Section
Officer Pat Taylor were the original team who were involved in setting it up. It
was these
reunions of No.30 (BB) Group that attracted the attention of other
officers from other Balloon Barrage Groups who asked if they could attend
future
reunions. In 1959 it was decided to form a more all-encompassing group to
co-ordinate reunions and the Balloon Barrage Reunion Club was
formed.
The Chairman was Wing
Commander Charles-Louis Leopold Alfred Beaumont and it was agreed to extend
membership to all officers of Balloon
Command. The Club met every October for an
evening dinner in London. Wing Commander Beaumont died in 1972 and the Chair was
taken over
by Wing Commander Cyril
Gadney, M.B.E.
Wing Commander Cyril
Gadney was well known having been an English rugby captain who played 13
times for England and represented the British
Lions. He became President of the
R.F.U in 1962. He was on a BBC programme in 1945 “Calling all Sportsmen”.
He proposed that the Club
should extend membership to all ranks who had served in Balloon Command. In 1981
it was decided to hold the reunion
as a luncheon to benefit those who had
travelled some distance and did not want to stay overnight. Wing Commander Cyril
Gadney died in March
1981 and that left the Club with no President until October
1982 when the Club met at Kensington and the Chairmanship was accepted by Flight
Lieutenant A. Solomons. Pattie took on the role of Hon. Secretary, with
membership number 3, from 1982 and
provided valuable assistance in
raising the profile of the Club.
Pattie became President
of the Club in and continued until September 1999 until poor health limited her
involvement. Ron Holder was elected
new President of the Club.
Pattie remarried at
Paddington in the summer of 1968 to James N. Holden, a London osteopath.
She remained there and
kept many pets who people remarked were “incredibly well trained” which was
probably due to her officer training being applied to animals!
Her sister Brenda lived
at Taunton and because of regular visits to see her, Pattie and Jimmie fell in
love with the West Country. When Jimmie gave up his osteopathic practice and
retired, they moved to French Weir Close, Taunton.
Not long after moving
Jimmie became ill and sadly died shortly afterwards.
After his death Pattie
continued to support her beloved R.S.P.C.A. and helped in the charity shop that
supported the hospice where Jimmie had spent the last few weeks of his life.
Pattie was visiting
friends in London when she was involved in an accident and as a result her
mobility became a problem.
She moved to Beaumont
Court, Launceston where she could be looked after more easily.
She passed away on 1st
April 2007 at Launceston, Cornwall.
Pattie 1966 Marleybone
Pattie was a glamorous,
intelligent, talented woman, with an amusing sense of humour and she is missed
by all who knew her.
Without
doubt she was the driving force behind the formation and promotion of the Club
from the 1970's onward.
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