Six decades after the war, army girl Belle will drive a tank again
Published on 10/06/2005

PROUD: Belle at the age of 24 in her corporal’s uniform in 1943

A CUMBRIAN war veteran is to get behind the wheel of a tank, 60 years after she last drove one.

Eighty-six-year-old Belle Beaty was a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service and specialised in driving army vehicles during World War Two.

After finding out about her past in the army, Belle’s friend Chester Forster made some inquiries and arranged for her to join the Royal Lancers driving tanks for the day across the Otterburn Ranges in Northumberland.

Belle, from Catlowdy, said: “It all started at the flower festival in the village. There were lots of items on display from the Forties and I brought my army corporal’s uniform.

“The next time we all met up was at the VE Day celebrations. Chester brought me down and I wore my uniform.

“When we went into the hall he announced that I was the guest of honour and that I would be driving tanks again with the Royal Lancers. I didn’t know what was going on and it was quite a shock.”

After leaving the army Belle, who never married, cared for relatives until the mid-Sixties. She then worked as a GP’s receptionist in Longtown until she retired at 70.

Chester says that he felt it was only fitting to honour Belle. He said: “When I found out what Belle had done during the war I thought we should try and do something special for her. I left a message with the Army and they got back to me the night before the VE Day celebration saying they would be delighted to do something.

“It was definitely the highlight of our night and I hope the army make as big a fuss of her as we did. I can’t wait to see her in that tank.”

The army haven’t given Belle an exact date for her day out, but they have said it will be sometime in July.

Belle added: “I’m really excited about going and I’ve told people I might try and enlist again. It was a great experience being in the army – I really enjoyed it and I’m proud to have served my time.”

Major Nick Woolgar, from the Queen’s Royal Lancers, is organising the day out. He said:“I was approached by Chester and asked whether we would be able to look after her for a day. Knowing her background we were more than happy to accommodate her.

“Being the only Royal Armour Corps regiment in the north of England it made sense for us to do it.

“We hope to get Belle in a few vehicles throughout the day and we are very much looking forward to her coming along.”

 

"The degenerative and loony should never be denigrated but, rather, thanked. In their absence, the rest of you would be obliged to fill congressional seats... positions naturally unsavory to the sane and honorable."

Thorax