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Debs at War

1939-1945

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Debs at War

By: Anne de Courcy
Narrated by: Rachel Atkins
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About this listen

An extraordinary account - from firsthand sources - of upper class women and the active part they took in the Second World War.

Prewar debutantes were members of the most protected, not to say isolated, stratum of 20th-century society: the young (17-20) unmarried daughters of the British upper classes. For most of them, the war changed all that for ever. It meant independence and the shock of the new, and daily exposure to customs and attitudes that must have seemed completely alien to them. For many, the almost military regime of an upper class childhood meant they were well suited for the no-nonsense approach needed in wartime.

This book records the extraordinary diversity of challenges, shocks and responsibilities they faced - as chauffeurs, couriers, ambulance drivers, nurses, pilots, spies, decoders, factory workers, farmers and land girls, as well as in the Women's Services. How much did class barriers really come down? Did they stick with their own sort? And what about fun and love in wartime - did love cross the class barriers?

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Anne de Courcy (P)2021 Orion Publishing Group Gender Studies Military Social Sciences Women War
All stars
Most relevant
Absolutely captivating. I finished it in 2 sittings and will definitely listen to it again.

fascinating

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So, privileged and ignorant before the War. Slightly less ignorant and privileged during the War. Then privileged and slightly less ignorant after the War. Combined with an ignorant Deb homophobia throughout, not a very edifying listen. Illuminating though! Some of the women were transformed. Most were simply sharpened.
The fact that ATA women pilots initially had to wear skirt & stockings while flying their aircraft was plain misogynistic lunacy.
Dennis Healey acquiring "respect for aristocratic mores" as a result of a lengthy affair with a Deb in Italy was an amusing but unsurprising revelation!
BTW: I hope to never hear the words "400 Club" ever again.

Illuminating

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