Cpl Dagny Andersen
(1915 - 1978)
Profile
Dagny Andersen served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during the Second World War and served as a driver in United Kingdom.
Dagny Andersen was born on 4 October 1915 in Kirke Helsinge. She was the daughter of farmer Rasmus Andersen and Anna Andersen (née Christensen).[1]
She travelled to England in 1938 and was employed as maid in Bromley outside London. She experienced the Blitz in London in 1940. On the first anniversary of the German occupation of Denmark—on 9 April 1941—she attended a memorial service in the Danish church followed by a tour of some of the bombed areas of London. That very night she wrote in her diary, that “I will do whatever I can to make England win” and the next day she went to the recruiting office to volunteer for Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF).[2]
For different reasons, she had to wait a few months, but in August 1941 she commenced service. At the time, the volunteers in the WAAF were able to chose their favourite function. Andersen chose to serve as driver. She served as a driver until the end of the war, and was promoted to Corporal.[3]
Endnotes
[1] DNA: Parish record, Kirke Helsinge.
[2] Frk. Chauffør i Royal Air Force, Sorø Amtstidende, 17 December 1945, p. 6.
[3] Ibid.