Pte. Joyce Sadler
Auxiliary territorial Service 904 AA (M) Transport Coy Royal Army Service Corps
from:Salford, Lancashire
Joyce Saddler served with 904 AA (M) Transport Coy RASC She enlisted at Manchester on 30/3/1942 giving her trade on enlistment as Theatrical
My mother was born 30th Jan 1920 at Salford, Lancs. From 1939 she was employed in the theatrical trade as a dancer/singer and was a regular member of a troupe that toured around the country. On the 16th of April 1941 she had been performing a matinee at the Rex theatre in High Wycombe with the star of the show Al Bowlly, with whom she was great friends, at the close of the matinee she was asked by the theatre management if she would stay for the evening show to replace one of the other girls who had called in sick. Although arrangements had been made to join Al Bowlly at his residence in Dukes court, Piccadilly my mother decided to remain at the theatre for the evening show. Al Bowlly however was killed that night when a German land mine exploded next to his residence killing him instantly.
Though I never asked if this was the reason she enlisted I am sure it must have had some bearing on her decision. Her Service Book records she was awarded her Service Chevron to drive 3 ton army transport vehicles and later awarded 'Skill at arms badge', she was discharged on the 14th Oct 1945.
She eventually emigrated to Western Australia where she died on the 1st Oct 1977.
