A NEWPORT woman, who served for many years in the Royal British Legion Women’s Section, has died, aged 81.
Ann Draper, of College Road, was born in Gunville, the daughter of Bernard and Ellen Morris, and was educated at Parkhurst and Nodehill Girls’ schools.
On leaving school, she went to work for J. Arthur Dixon, the post-card manufacturer, at Forest Road, Newport.
As a girl, she was in the late Nesta Meech’s dance troupe, who provided amateur shows and pantomimes during and after the war.
As a teenager, she was a member of the Newport sea ranger group although she never liked small boats. She was also, for a while, the tawny owl with the brownies.
She married Bert at St Thomas’s Church in 1956 and the couple enjoyed 61 happy years together. She was always a cheerful person and quite happy to make a fool of herself to amuse others.
Mrs Draper was happy to talk to anyone and, on one occasion, at a formal dinner, Lord Astor of Hever asked her to sit next to him as he enjoyed her amusing conversation. He laughed so loud at one of her jokes Lady Astor rebuked him.
In 1970, she joined the Newport and Carisbrooke branch of the Royal British Legion Women’s Section. The following year, she was elected vice-chairman and the year after that, chairman, holding the post for several years.
She was later elected county vice-chairman, then county chairman, IW representative in the south eastern area committee and later, county vice-president for services to the county.
When the IW branch of the Royal Artillery Association was formed, she established a ladies’ section, which was very successful. During that time, she organised charity sales in empty shops in Newport to raise funds for the association.
Mr and Mrs Draper later bought an ex-military vehicle and joined the Military Vehicle Trust. During the summer months, they would attend shows on the IW.
Her funeral was held at the IW Crematorium on Wednesday. She is survived by her husband, her daughter, Ann, and a grandson.