A Potted History of the WRAC Dinner Club

Back in 1997, there was still an ATS Luncheon Club, and our big sisters were very protective of it. One day, while discussing their lunch, the ATS ladies were approached by Maureen Deeley RIP, who asked if the WRAC were allowed to join in. The short answer was a firm "No!" If you knew Mo, you could imagine how well that went over. So, she teamed up with three other Birmingham Branch pals, Sue Dolphin, Jenny Byrne RIP, and Irene Oliver RIP, to advocate for a WRAC Luncheon Club. That year, during the WRAC Association Grand Reunion, they seized the opportunity to gauge interest in forming a WRAC-only club and were pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic response.  

At the same time, Ann Deakin proposed creating a register to compile names and addresses of those eager to reconnect with their old comrades. After discussions, it was agreed that Ann would establish and manage the WRAC Luncheon Club alongside the register. The rest, as they say, is history. The inaugural WRAC Luncheon Club was held at Tillington Hall in Staffordshire and was attended by 62 members. It was a tremendous success, and as it expanded, the name evolved into the WRAC Dinner Club.  

A committee was established and has diligently worked ever since, though the individuals have changed over the years. Being part of the committee is an exciting, tiring, bewildering, and rewarding experience, full of challenges and fun. It’s a balancing act to welcome keen volunteers into the Dinner Club membership while preserving the knowledge and experience of the 'more mature' ladies, which is an essential part of the club history of the WRAC Dinner Club.