Joyce was born in Hounslow and was the daughter of Foster S. Field and Rosina M. Field, a circus horse rider. She later settled with her mother at Weston Super-Mare and began a career as a children's nurse.
On 17th September 1942 she enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) at Edgware, transferring to Gloucester the following day and to Morecombe on 22nd September for training. From 19th October 1942 she was based at RAF Gravesend, a former civilian airport that served as a Hurricane and Spitfire base during the Battle of Britain. Her service number was 2132671 and she reached the rank of Aircraftwoman 1st Class (Station Headquarters). In addition to her official duties, which are likely to have been administrative, she performed as one of the "Six Little WA AF's" in the chorus line of a production of "Cinderella" that was written and produced by her fellow WAAF Gladys Critchell. The show was staged in the concert hall of the Laughing Waters Road House, now the Inn on the Lake, in January 1943, just a few months before her death.
She died aged twenty five at Doncaster, due to heart failure caused by "operation shock" and anaesthetic while being operated on for acute appendicitis at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. Her death certificate records "accidental death". Her body was returned to Gravesend for burial near her comrades. Following a service conducted by Father John McNally at St. John's Roman Catholic Church she was buried with full military honours in the military section of Gravesend Cemetery. Her coffin was draped in a Union Jack and volleys were fired over her grave while "The Last Post" and "reveille" were sounded. Her grave was paid for by the RAF and contingents from the RAF and WAAF were present at her funeral.
With thanks to Geoffrey Gillon and Tony Murphy for their help with researching this biography.
On 17th September 1942 she enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) at Edgware, transferring to Gloucester the following day and to Morecombe on 22nd September for training. From 19th October 1942 she was based at RAF Gravesend, a former civilian airport that served as a Hurricane and Spitfire base during the Battle of Britain. Her service number was 2132671 and she reached the rank of Aircraftwoman 1st Class (Station Headquarters). In addition to her official duties, which are likely to have been administrative, she performed as one of the "Six Little WA AF's" in the chorus line of a production of "Cinderella" that was written and produced by her fellow WAAF Gladys Critchell. The show was staged in the concert hall of the Laughing Waters Road House, now the Inn on the Lake, in January 1943, just a few months before her death.
She died aged twenty five at Doncaster, due to heart failure caused by "operation shock" and anaesthetic while being operated on for acute appendicitis at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. Her death certificate records "accidental death". Her body was returned to Gravesend for burial near her comrades. Following a service conducted by Father John McNally at St. John's Roman Catholic Church she was buried with full military honours in the military section of Gravesend Cemetery. Her coffin was draped in a Union Jack and volleys were fired over her grave while "The Last Post" and "reveille" were sounded. Her grave was paid for by the RAF and contingents from the RAF and WAAF were present at her funeral.
With thanks to Geoffrey Gillon and Tony Murphy for their help with researching this biography.
Joyce was born in Hounslow and was the daughter of Foster S. Field and Rosina M. Field, a circus horse rider. She later settled with her mother at Weston Super-Mare and began a career as a children's nurse.
On 17th September 1942 she enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) at Edgware, transferring to Gloucester the following day and to Morecombe on 22nd September for training. From 19th October 1942 she was based at RAF Gravesend, a former civilian airport that served as a Hurricane and Spitfire base during the Battle of Britain. Her service number was 2132671 and she reached the rank of Aircraftwoman 1st Class (Station Headquarters). In addition to her official duties, which are likely to have been administrative, she performed as one of the "Six Little WA AF's" in the chorus line of a production of "Cinderella" that was written and produced by her fellow WAAF Gladys Critchell. The show was staged in the concert hall of the Laughing Waters Road House, now the Inn on the Lake, in January 1943, just a few months before her death.
She died aged twenty five at Doncaster, due to heart failure caused by "operation shock" and anaesthetic while being operated on for acute appendicitis at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. Her death certificate records "accidental death". Her body was returned to Gravesend for burial near her comrades. Following a service conducted by Father John McNally at St. John's Roman Catholic Church she was buried with full military honours in the military section of Gravesend Cemetery. Her coffin was draped in a Union Jack and volleys were fired over her grave while "The Last Post" and "reveille" were sounded. Her grave was paid for by the RAF and contingents from the RAF and WAAF were present at her funeral.
With thanks to Geoffrey Gillon and Tony Murphy for their help with researching this biography.
On 17th September 1942 she enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) at Edgware, transferring to Gloucester the following day and to Morecombe on 22nd September for training. From 19th October 1942 she was based at RAF Gravesend, a former civilian airport that served as a Hurricane and Spitfire base during the Battle of Britain. Her service number was 2132671 and she reached the rank of Aircraftwoman 1st Class (Station Headquarters). In addition to her official duties, which are likely to have been administrative, she performed as one of the "Six Little WA AF's" in the chorus line of a production of "Cinderella" that was written and produced by her fellow WAAF Gladys Critchell. The show was staged in the concert hall of the Laughing Waters Road House, now the Inn on the Lake, in January 1943, just a few months before her death.
She died aged twenty five at Doncaster, due to heart failure caused by "operation shock" and anaesthetic while being operated on for acute appendicitis at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. Her death certificate records "accidental death". Her body was returned to Gravesend for burial near her comrades. Following a service conducted by Father John McNally at St. John's Roman Catholic Church she was buried with full military honours in the military section of Gravesend Cemetery. Her coffin was draped in a Union Jack and volleys were fired over her grave while "The Last Post" and "reveille" were sounded. Her grave was paid for by the RAF and contingents from the RAF and WAAF were present at her funeral.
With thanks to Geoffrey Gillon and Tony Murphy for their help with researching this biography.
Inscription
Women's Auxiliary Air Force -
IN LOVING MEMORY "ANOTHER FLOWER IN HEAVEN"
Gravesite Details
2132671
