Jerri Mumford

Minnie "Jerri" Mumford (1909–2002) was a British-born Canadian World War II servicewoman. After serving as Commandant of the Halifax Women's Service Corps, an early Atlantic Canadian women's army corps, Mumford subsequently joined the Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC). She served overseas for three years,^[1] and was one of the only CWAC members chosen to accompany the invading Allied forces to Italy in 1944.

Early life

Mumford was born January 4, 1909, in

When CWAC was established in 1941, Mumford left Halifax and travelled west to enlist in the new corps as a private. She was sent to England aboard the Queen Elizabeth I, and for two years Mumford worked at the office of the Judge Advocate General at Canadian Military headquarters. As the bombing raids hit London, Mumford also headed a barracks fire team, and was responsible for directing fire hoses at the buildings that were worst damaged.^[2]

In 1944, Mumford was transferred to a ship destined for Italy. When she reached Gibraltar along the way, her convoy was attacked by German U-boats, and she saw a Canadian medical ship torpedoed and sunk. Upon arriving at their destination, Mumford was one of only 11 CWACs chosen to go into Italy with the invading forces; she evacuated wounded soldiers, sometimes going days without sleep. She remained in Italy until 1945, when the CWACs were recalled to England.^[2]

She took part in the

Mumford was a member of Branch 182 of the Royal Canadian Legion for the rest of her life.^[1]

Honours

Mumford was a recipient of the 1939–1945 Star, the Italy Star, the Defence Medal, and the Canadian Forces' Decoration.^[2]

Death

Mumford died on August 28, 2002.^[1][2]

References