Notes: Mrs Holland was demobilised from the WRAF in October 1919, when she was 30 years old. Her work was described as ‘very good’. She enrolled and worked in London, and was married, though we do not know her maiden name. Her name appears on the Roll of Honour at Pisgah Chapel, Talywain.
Reference: WaW0292
Discharge certificate
Demobilisation certificate for Mary Ann Holland, 17th October 1919.
Roll of Honour
Mrs M A Holland’s name on the Roll of Honour at Pisgah Chapel, Talywain.
Notes: Edith (born 1872) was a twin [qv Beatrice Picton-Warlow], one of many children of John Picton Turbervill who inherited Ewenny Priory, Glamorgan in 1891. Always very devout, she worked with the families of navvies working on the Vale of Glamorgan railway and poor families in London After six years in India she returned to Britain to be foreign secretary of the Y.W.C.A. When war broke out, she raised quarter of a million pounds to build Y.W.C.A. hostels for young women munitions and farm workers. A strong supporter of ordination of women, she preached in several non-conformist chapels in Wales before becoming the first woman to preach in an Anglican church, in 1919, wearing ‘cassock and surplice’. As she was over six foot tall, with ‘a rather loud voice’, she impressed the newspapers. In that year too she joined the Labour party. After two unsuccessful attempts, she was elected MP for Wrekin in Shropshire in 1929. During her brief Parliamentary career she successfully introduced the bill to stop the execution of pregnant women.
Sources: Angela V John: Rocking the Boat, Parthian Press 2018
Reference: WaW0442
Edith Picton Turbervill
Photograph of Edith Picton Turbervill, c.1910
Newspaper report
Edith was clearly a good shot! Glamorgan Gazette 23rd October 1908.
Newspaper report
Report of the inaugural meeting launching the provision of Y.M.C.A. hostels for munitions workers in Wales (part 1). Glamorgan Gazette 13 October 1916.
Newspaper report
Report of the inaugural meeting launching the provision of Y.M.C.A. hostels for munitions workers in Wales (part 2). Glamorgan Gazette 13 October 1916.
Newspaper report
Report of Edith Picton Turbervill preaching in the Bishopsgate Congregational Chapel. Cambrian Daily Leader 14th February 1919.
Newspaper report
‘Small Talk’ column describing Edith Picton Turbervill preaching at a regular Church of England service in North Somercotes, Lincs. Glamorgan Gazette 11th July 1919.
Newspaper report
Report of Edith Picton Turbervill joining the Labour Party. Cambria Daily Leader 18th January 1919
Photograph
The Labour women MPs elected in 1929, Edith Picton Turbervill is centre back. Front right is a very young Jennie Lee, later married to Aneurin Bevan. Aged 24, she was too young to vote, but not too young to stand. Next to her is Ellen Wilkinson.