Tributes to Fermanagh woman who played her part in WW2

Anna Margarite Coote Hamilton, affectionately known as 'Rita', late of Maguiresbridge, passed away peacefully in the South West Acute Hospital on Friday, January 29, 2021 following a short battle with Covid-19.

"Rita was a very independent, polite, trustworthy and respectable lady. She was so caring and so loving but she could also be feisty," said Edith Dillon, a cousin of Rita's through marriage, who she became very close with over the past 15 years.

"She was a big inspiration to younger generations, encouraging them that they could do anything in this world," she added.

Born on January 1, 1925, Rita was the daughter of Lily and Edgar Hamilton from Maguiresbridge. She had one sister, Constance, who she was very close to.

"They were brought up to be very independent girls, so it was of no surprise when the war broke out that she was quick to enlist," explained Edith, commenting that Rita was the type of person who thought, "if the boys can do it, the girls can do it too".

At the age of 18, Rita took on the role of a WAAF driver at Castle Archdale seaplane base during the Second World War, from 1943 until she was demobbed in 1947.

As a child, Rita often pedalled her bicycle around the family farm, and sat on her dad’s knee at the wheel of their car, but the first motor vehicle she ever drove was a three-ton truck during WAAF training in England.

Her duties at Castle Archdale were as varied as her vehicles. She drove supplies of beer or groceries to the officers’ mess, delivered depth charges to the seaplanes in trucks, and drove ambulances.

Her driving duties also involved chauffeuring two of Northern Ireland’s RAF Air Commodores around the country in a Humber Snipe, and driving air crews to the slipways for their sorties over the Atlantic.

Rita and her sister, Constance, with nine or ten other women drivers, celebrated VE Day on a RAF motorboat on Lough Erne after hearing Winston Churchill announcing victory on the radio on May 8, 1945, which Rita described as an "unforgettable trip".

Rita never married, but Constance married an American pilot, George Anderson, and following the war the couple made their home in Long Island, New York, where they had three boys: Ross, David and Lindsay.

Rita loved travelling over to the US to visit Constance and her family, who were very important to her.

After the war, Rita went on to have a long career in the civil service, working as a manager for the Department of Agriculture – a role that she thoroughly enjoyed.

Rita had many good friends in Maguiresbridge who would have called with her "all the time" prior to the pandemic. "The door was always open," said Edith.

Rita also had a close group of lady friends who, for more than 20 years, would meet at least once a week for lunch at the college in Enniskillen.

This group included her sister, Constance, when she was home visiting from the US; her cousin, Norma Ross; Joan Johnston and Mrs. Goodall.

Rita was generous with her time and attended many of the commemorative events to mark the anniversaries of D-Day, VE Day and VJ Day which were held at local schools.

She enjoyed sharing her wartime memories with children.

To mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, a special painting was commissioned that also features Rita in her role as a WAAF driver, that was presented to Maguiresbridge Primary School and now has pride of place there.

Rita was very independent throughout her life and was still driving up until a year ago, well into her nineties.

She maintained good health up until a few months ago, and sadly passed away following a short battle with Covid-19. Her family spoke of the "amazing care" she received from the Ward Nine staff.

Rita's funeral was arranged by Dowlers Funeral Directors, and the service was led by Reverend Rodney Beacom at Maguiresbridge Presbyterian Church.

Representatives of the RAF were in attendance, and a wreath was laid by Royal Air Forces Association, Co. Fermanagh Branch Chairman, Ray Hall.