Date: March 8, 2010
Location- CFB ( Canadian Forces Base) Esquimalt
and Grandma Tilley's house
'Grand-mama, what are you getting all dressed up for?' Mattie asked her Grandmother.
'Well, today is a very special day, Mattie.'
Grandma Tilley sat down on her bed to put on her freshly polished serviceable black shoes.
Mattie quickly knelt down and handed Grandma one of the shoes. While she watched Grandma place the shoe horn into the back of the heel, she asked, "What's so special about today?"
'Well, your Great- grandma was something we call a WREN. During WWII the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service were a feisty bunch of women who volunteered to go to England for about, oh, 3 years or so. We went to help fight in the war.'
'Woah, I didn't know that,' Mattie's eyes looked as round as saucers.
'Do you know that your name and mine are really the same name?'
'Tilley and Mattie are the same name?'
The young 8 year old forehead furrowed into a puzzled look. 'Are you sure?'
'Oh yes, dear. I'm very sure. The proper name is Mathilda and it means mighty in battle,' Grandma Tilley pushed her other foot into the shoe and before she could lift her head up, little Mattie butted her forehead against Great Grandma Tilley's and said, 'We're warriors, Grandma!'
'Yes, we are, lovey!'
Grandma sat up and patted the bed next to her and Mattie didn't waste a second as she jumped up and looked into the handsome, strong face of Tilley.
'I think we have time for a little story before we have to go to the planting of the rose bushes. It was 1942...'
'Navy Lady' roses were planted at CFB ( Canadian Forces Base) Esquimalt in March of 2010. The rose bushes were planted to honour the Canadian women who served in the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service. These WRENS played an active part in the fight against the Axis forces in WWII.
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