An appeal has been launched to find a World War Two heroine who received the George Medal in recognition of her devotion to duty.
Telephonist Wendy Hollyer received the medal, the second highest gallantry award to be given to a civilian, for remaining in her post, despite being injured during a bomb raid in Croydon.
She is one of nearly 40 women who won the medal. Former Commons speaker Betty Boothroyd, patron of the Memorial to Women in World War II Fund, launched an appeal on Sunday to find the women before a monument to them is unveiled in Whitehall in July.
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Wendy Hollyer joined the Air Raid Precautions (ARP) communications service just before the war started.
On November 24, 1940, she had been working as a telephonist at the ARP's control centre at the Town Hall in Katharine Street when it was hit by a bomb.
Three of five telephonists working in another room were killed. Two others were trapped.
Miss Hollyer, who was 26 at the time, was pinned to the floor under the debris and was bleeding heavily from a neck wound.
While a rescue team worked to find survivors, a phone, which had been knocked from a table, rang. Miss Hollyer was able to reach it and take the call. She insisted on remaining at her post after receiving medical treatment.
Miss Hollyer, who lived with her parents Clive and Enid Hollyer in Temple Road, Croydon, was honoured at a reception in March 1941.
The electoral roll for 1947 show that the family no longer lived in Temple Road and Miss Hollyer, whose first name according to records may have been Hilda, could have married since receiving the medal.
If you know the Hollyer family or can help trace Wendy Hollyer call 020 7430 0443.
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