Lady Under Fire on the Western Front: The Great War Letters of Lady Dorothie Feilding MM

During World War I, Lady Dorothie Mary Evelyn Feilding served as an ambulance driver for the Munro Motor Ambulance Corps on the Western Front in Belgium. She received the Belgian Order of Leopold, the French Croix de Guerre, and the British Military Medal for her bravery. Her letters reflect the daily life of a woman at the front, including the mundane, tragedy, and horror of war, as well as the tensions of being a woman in a male-dominated environment. Despite her privileged upbringing, she had a down-to-earth attitude that endeared her to all she met.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 240 pages
\n Publication date: 28 February 2021
\n Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd
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When Britain declared war in 1914, a wave of enthusiasm swept across the nation, with countless individuals eager to join the military ranks or contribute in some other meaningful way. Among them was Lady Dorothie Mary Evelyn Feilding, who chose to serve on the front lines as a driver for the Munro Motor Ambulance Corps, an all-volunteer unit.

Lady D's dedication to her duty was unwavering, as she spent nearly three years traversing the treacherous Western Front in Belgium. Her bravery was evident, as she received the prestigious Belgian Order of Leopold, the French Croix de Guerre, and the British Military Medal, making her the first woman to earn such honors. In her letters home to Newnham Paddox, near Rugby, she vividly captured the daily realities of war, including the mundane, the tragic, and the horrifying. She also candidly discussed the challenges faced by women at the front, such as dealing with shells, gossip, funding shortages, lice infestations, vehicle maintenance, and inconvenient marriage proposals.

Despite her privileged upbringing as the daughter of an Earl, Lady D possessed an approachable and down-to-earth demeanor that transcended social boundaries. This quality endeared her to everyone she encountered, from royalty to ordinary fighting men. Her letters revealed her genuine concern for the well-being of her fellow soldiers and her deep appreciation for the sacrifices they were making.

Lady D's service on the Western Front was a testament to her courage and determination, and her contributions to the war effort were invaluable. Her story serves as a reminder of the bravery and resilience of women during times of conflict and their invaluable role in shaping the course of history.

\n Weight: 422g\n
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781526796844\n \n