Product Ref: FHF-080
Aunt J - Jessie Miller Wilson MBE by Joan E Duncan
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Aunt J – Jessie Millar Wilson MBE by Joan E. Duncan is a heartfelt and vivid memoir chronicling the wartime experiences of a remarkable woman who served as a YMCA volunteer in France during the First World War. Known affectionately to the troops as “Aunt J,” Jessie Millar Wilson worked at Hut 15 near Le Havre, one of the many YMCA centres established to support soldiers behind the lines.
Through her own words—rescued from a box of memories and lovingly edited by a family member—Wilson offers a candid, often humorous, and deeply human account of life in wartime France. From serving cocoa and sandwiches to organizing games and lectures, her story reveals the vital role women played in maintaining morale and offering comfort far from home.
This 96-page volume, privately published and illustrated with period details, is more than a personal memoir—it’s a window into the overlooked contributions of thousands of women who volunteered with the YMCA. A touching tribute and a valuable resource for those interested in social history, women’s roles in wartime, or family heritage.