EDNA GIRLING

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Image courtesy of Chris Boot.

Born: 20th December 1925, Ipswich.

Died: 27th January 1943; age 17, at Pinkney’s Farm, Fressingfield, Suffolk. Cause of death: a broken neck caused by the deceased being drawn into a baling machine, which accidentally began to operate owing to the seizure of a loose pulley.

Inquest held 29th January 1943.

Residence: 37, Swinburne Road, Whitton.

Occupation: Machinist – Sewing.

Regiment: Women’s Land Army – East Suffolk. Number: 81178.

Grave Reference:

St. Mary & St. Botolph’s Churchyard,

Whitton,

Suffolk.

Father: Frederick Norman Girling, born 1884, Ipswich.

Mother: Ellen Magdalene Girling (nee Harper), born 1885, Ipswich.

ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939.

Edna was a Machinist – Sewing. She lived with her parents and sister at their family home – 37, Swinburne Road, Whitton.

Frederick, a Painter – Houses – Ipswich Corporation.

Ellen, unpaid Domestic Duties.

Nora Girling, a Machinist – Sewing, born May 1922, Ipswich.

3rd February 1943 – Ipswich Star.

LAND GIRL’S FUNERAL AT WHITTON

The Late Miss Edna Girling

 The funeral of Miss Edna Girling (Women’s Land Army), of 37, Swinburne Road, Ipswich, who was accidentally killed at Halesworth on Wednesday, took place at Whitton yesterday. The Rev. T.G. Moore (rector) officiated, and the principal mourners were Mr. and Mrs. Girling (parents), Miss Norah Girling (sister), Messrs. Albert, Arthur and Fred Girling (brothers), Mr. Boots (brother-in-law), and Mrs. Dale.

 Lady Cranworth represented the East Suffolk Women’s Land Army and East Suffolk War Agricultural Executive Committee. Miss Woodgate (Assistant Labour Officer) represented the staff of the East Suffolk War Agricultural Committee, Miss Longsdon (representing Mrs. Sunderland Taylor), Women’s Land Army. The Women’s Land Army Hostel, Halesworth, was represented b the Misses L. Baguley, F. Bass, F. Berry, G. Chapman, V. Elsey, T. Froggett, A. Farthing, F. Fitch, R. Gedge, I. Gibbs, J. Hayley, M. Hambling, M. Leeks, J. Mills, B. Moyes, N. Preston, P. Richer, F. Stone, M. Todd, J. Wilson, I. Watson. I. Steward, H. Walters, Mrs. S. Belcher, Mrs. H. Bilson, Messrs. B. Racham and P.W. Taylor (Machinery Dept.).

  Wreaths were sent by Women’s Land Army (Halesworth), Messrs. Footman, Prettys, Mr. and Mrs. Ulph, V. Clarkson, Mr. and Mrs. Fenton, Mrs. Hines, Mr. and Mrs. Tovell and Safe Harbour Hotel.

 The arrangements were carried out by the Ipswich Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd., under the personal supervision of Mr. H. Allen.

Note: Mrs. Juanita Wooten: My mum was there with Edna Girling when this happened, all those years later my mum still talked about that day, we went to the Ipswich Information Center and in the back, there was a book in a locked case with many names including Edna Girling’s name, we had to get permission to have it opened up when my mum saw her name it brought back lots of memories for her, after all those years it was still so sad.

Norfolk And Suffolk Journal And Diss Express – 5th February 1943

TRAGIC DEATH OF LAND GIRL

An inquest was held on Friday by Mr. L. H. Vulliamy, Coroner for the Northern Division of Suffolk, on the body of Edna Girling, aged 18, who was killed in a tragic accident two days previously, on Hill Farm, in the occupation of Mr. Elliott.

The deceased, whose home was at 37, Swinburne Road, Whitton, Ipswich, was working with a party baling straw with a baling machine. The machine was stopped temporarily whilst men freed it from the straw. Suddenly, it restarted, for some unaccountable reason, and the feeder arm caught the deceased at the back of the neck, drawing her into the machinery. The machine was immediately stopped, and Dr. W. Chas. Hutley was sent for, but when he arrived, the deceased was dead.

A verdict of “Accidental death through being inadvertently caught in the machinery of a straw baler” was recorded, and sympathy was extended to the relatives.

P.-c. Pipe represented the East Suffolk Police.