FORMER WW2 Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) Veteran Frankie Hornby returned to her former primary school, Aghadrumsee, in Co. Fermanagh to be a guest of honour at a special presentation during the summer.

It had been more than 90 years since Frankie last visited the school and she fondly recalled the teachers who supported her and the happy memories she had attending there.

She shared her wartime memories with the children, outlining that on leaving school at 18 she joined the WAAF as a Leading Aircraftwoman, and was posted to the RAF Fighter Station Coverack, in Cornwall, England, to drive officers.

She learnt after the war that much of the work undertaken at this base was of a highly-secret nature. She also drove ambulances to the morgue, and large lorries with supplies.

Returning to Northern Ireland, Frankie was initially based at RAF HQ in Belfast, driving high-ranking officers and Padres around the various RAF Stations for Sunday services.

"Roads were not as good as they are today, and with wartime headlight blackouts, it was not easy," said Frankie.

She shared with the schoolchildren that sometimes when she drove officers to Fermanagh, she got to keep the car over the weekend, and visited her family at Lisnaskea.

She recalled on one instance driving an RAF lorry into her mother's yard, much to her surprise!

At the end of the war, Frankie was posted to Castle Archdale and Killadeas, often visiting the officers' quarters at the Manor House to collect them. Frankie spent four years in the WAAF and, with a twinkle in her eye, recalled to the children that she enjoyed every minute.

A native of Enniskillen, RAF Wing Commander Jacqueline Rankin paid tribute to Frankie’s service in the WAAF during World War Two.

"I was absolutely delighted to be invited back to my home county to surprise World War Two veteran Frankie at Aghadrumsee Primary School as part of this special event.

"The children were fascinated by Frankie’s stories of her time in the WAAF, which was linked to my RAF career in logistics – they were very attentive, asking some great questions.”

Speaking to the children, she explained that although it is almost 80 years since Frankie joined the RAF, they still require the same roles to be performed today and many more, covering a wide range of skills and occupations.

Jacqueline recalled that like Frankie, she had joined the RAF at 18. With more than 30 years' service, having served in various countries throughout the world, Jacqueline said she has never regretted it.

The children had an opportunity to ask Frankie and Jacqueline questions about their careers and enjoyed learning more about their respective roles in the RAF, during their respective times.

Frankie unveiled a specially commissioned painting by David Briggs depicting a scene outside the Manor House at Killadeas which was used as accommodation for RAF officers.

Frankie is shown collecting a senior RAF officer in a military-spec Humber Hawk staff car.

A Catalina flying boat is seen returning from a mission on approach to the Killadeas base just below the Manor House on the lough.

The Catalina of 209 Squadron would on May 29, 1941, rediscover the battleship Bismarck, subsequently leading to the pride of the German naval fleet being destroyed.

Miss Julie Cummings, Principal, Aghadrumsee Primary School, gave a warm tribute to Frankie for returning to her former school and sharing memories of attending it and her career in the WAAF.

Thanks was also paid to RAF Wing Commander Jacqueline Rankin, who provided a range of RAF badges and posters for the children.

The children were also delighted to receive special ‘Spitfire’ model packs from the NI War Memorial Museum in Belfast, and badges from the Fermanagh branch of the Royal Air Force Association.

Finally, thanks was given to Selwyn Johnston for commissioning the painting, which was originally planned to be presented to the school in June, 2020, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day, but had to be postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions.