Yesterday in the afternoon (22nd March), The Countess of Wessex attended a Reception at Guildford Cathedral to celebrate the Centenary of the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association. HRH was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey (Mr Michael More-Molyneux).
The Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC) was the corps to which all women in the British Army belonged from 1949 to 1992, except medical, dental and veterinary officers and chaplains, the Ulster Defence Regiment which recruited women from 1973, and nurses (who belonged to Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps).
The WRAC was formed on 1 February 1949 by Army Order 6 as the successor to the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) that had been founded in 1938. For much of its existence, its members performed administrative and other support tasks. HM The Queen Mother became Commandant in Chief of WRAC in 1949.
In October 1990 WRAC officers employed with other corps were transferred to those corps and in April 1992 the WRAC was disbanded and its remaining members transferred to the Corps they served with. For detailed history of WRAC organization, click here.
Yesterday, WRAC Association held a Canapes Reception in the Nave of Guildford Cathedral, in order to cement their relationship with Guildford and its Cathedral, as the Association’s ‘Mother city and church’. Reception was attended by The Countess as VIP guest.
For the Association’s Centenary Year, the Grand Reunion is being held in Southampton during this weekend. More pictures from the event will be available on WRAC website next week. For blog post about the event by The High Sheriff of Surrey click here.
Outfit & jewellery:
Custodi double-breasted brushed wool coat by S MAX MARA.
Earrings seen before, no ID.
Burberry Prorsum Camel Animal Print Silk Scarf.
Clutch bag by Sophie Habsburg Design.
Prada suede black boots.
HRH The Countess of Wessex 