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Woman, 100, given 'lifelong dream' of a naval cap

Bea Swallow
BBC News, Bristol
St Monica Trust Margaret Grey sitting on a white sofa in the care home. She is wearing a blue and white patterned blouse with white buttons. On her head is the white navy cap with a black brim and yellow embroidered letters which spell out HMS Flying Fox.St Monica Trust
Margaret Grey teared up as she kissed the embroidered letters, spelling out the name of the ship her father worked on

A care home resident has fulfilled a "lifelong dream" after being presented with a Royal Naval cap to mark her 100th birthday.

Margaret Grey revealed to staff at St Monica Trust's Charterhouse Care Home, in Keynsham, that she had always longed to follow in her father's military footsteps.

He had joined the Royal Navy aged 16, and sailed the world on a number of warships before moving to Bristol and working as an electrician on HMS Flying Fox.

The former headmistress said had she too been offered the chance to serve in the navy, she would "never have become a teacher".

St Monica Trust Margaret Grey wearing a blue and white flowery patterned blouse, sitting on a cream sofa with a beige blanket over her knees. She has short curly white hair and is looking down at her new white navy cap with an excited expression and her hands clasped in excitement. St Monica Trust
Ms Grey said if her father could have seen her now, he would say "well done, that's my girl!"

Ms Grey had set her sights on joining the navy from an early age - inspired by her father's courage and dedication.

"The only reason I stayed in school after 16 was to get three good A-Levels, so I could go into the executive branch of the Wren's," she said, referring to the then Women's Royal Naval Service.

"That kept me working at my books in order to get the qualifications, because they weren't all that keen on women. It was very much a male dominated force."

Ms Grey's ambitious plans ground to a halt when both her parents fell seriously ill, and she could not bring herself to leave them and sail overseas.

St Monica Trust Margaret Grey wearing a blue and white patterned blouse and a white and black naval cap with yellow embroidered letters. She is sitting on a cream sofa, looking at the camera. Beside her is John Morrish, wearing a khaki naval uniform with a red sash, black, red and white cap, and colourful naval badges on his right breast pocket. On the right is another naval officer, wearing a black uniform and a white cap. St Monica Trust
Royal Marines warrant officer John Morrish (centre) presented Ms Grey with the cap

After studying English Literature at Bristol University, Ms Grey instead began her teaching career at Colston's Girls' School.

She eventually became headmistress at Merrywood Girls School, where she stayed until her retirement in 1984.

"Despite not being able to become a Wren, I did eventually warm to teaching and quite enjoyed it," she said.

"But I'd never have become a teacher if I'd been able to go and serve overseas.

"I was so looking forward to earning that lovely cap with the white stripe."

Family Handout Margaret Grey around middle age when she was a headmistress. She is wearing a blue blazer with a female silhouette brooch on her left lapel. She is sitting behind a wooden desk writing on a stack of papers. To her left is a black rotary telephone and behind her is a big window with lots of plants on the windowsill. She has her blonde hair tied back and is smiling at the camera.Family Handout
Ms Grey also served as deputy-headmistress at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School

However, Ms Grey says finally getting her cap provides a "great deal of sentiment", and serves as a testament to how times have changed.

"Women can now have a total free access to the navy, and every kind of opportunity of progressing within the force," she said.

"They are now willing to listen to new ideas, and willing to change things.

"We've now got women who are the captains of the ship," she added.

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