The Isle of Wight Council is to be asked to nominate Mary Ellis to receive the Freedom of the Isle of Wight for her heroic actions in delivering more than 1,000 aircraft to frontline units during World War II.
Mary is the last surviving member of the Air Transport Auxilliary (ATA) and she flew aeroplanes, like the Spitfire and Wellington bomber, to squadrons all over the country during the battle to defeat Nazi Germany.
Now 100, she has lived on the Island for much of her life and is a well-known local figure as she ran Sandown Airport for many years.
Council Leader Dave Stewart has said:
“Mary is rightly called the ‘Spitfire Girl’ for the amazing work she did to help the RAF go into battle more than 70 years ago and, in my view, the Freedom is a long overdue and absolutely fitting honour the council should be giving to her without delay.
“She made the island her home after the war and she successfully ran Sandown airport for many years. So, this honour is for a resident who helped save our country and who has given so much to our Island for decades.”
Any decision to bestow ‘the Freedom’ must be taken by the Full Council and requires an extraordinary meeting of it.
Dave explained that it is hoped this can happen in January next year and added that it will be proposed and supported by the Conservative administration. This follows a review of the council’s application of the legislation as applied to a person of distinction.
Cllr Stewart added:
“For the freedom to be bestowed there needs to be a two thirds majority of the council but I am sure such an award for such an amazing woman will have widespread support from all councillors from all parties and from island residents”.
Mary’s goddaughter, adult services cabinet member Councillor Clare Mosdell, said:
“Mary is a remarkable but modest woman who loves this island and would accept such a wonderful honour but be embarrassed over all the fuss.
“She is the last link to female pilots who did vital work in the fight against the Nazis and also against perceptions of what women could do. Despite the danger and the attitudes of the time, Mary and her comrades came out triumphant in both. It is a privilege she is my godmother and I hope the freedom can be granted.”
Only 3 other individuals have been granted the Freedom of the Wight – the film director Anthony Minghella, solo yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur and Hovertravel founder Chris Bland.
