8th March 2025

At Foxholes Care Home, we are privileged to be surrounded by women whose lives have shaped history in extraordinary ways. This Women’s History Month, we set out to uncover and celebrate the remarkable journeys of the women who call Foxholes home.

Through the memories shared by families and residents, we have brought together the stories of six incredible women, born between 1916 and 1942. They lived through wars, societal shifts, and groundbreaking moments for women’s rights. Some contributed through military service, resilience in the face of war, or breaking down barriers in education and the workplace. Others dedicated themselves to community, creativity, and preserving local history.

This blog series tells their stories—some well-documented, others being shared publicly for the first time. Each woman has left an impact on the world in her own way, reminding us that the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy today were built on the determination, strength, and perseverance of those who came before us.

A Generation of Strength and Change

We extend our deepest gratitude to the families who have shared memories, photographs, and personal anecdotes, helping us to bring these stories to life.

Through this series, we invite you to step back in time and discover the extraordinary lives of the women of Foxholes, starting with Joyce Birrell, a wartime chemist and first aid responder who saved lives during the London Blitz.

Born in 1916 in Bicester, Joyce spent her childhood in Hendon, North London, growing up in a world still recovering from World War I. She was the youngest of three sisters.

Joyce’s childhood was filled with adventure and simple joys. The family took regular trips to the south coast, where she and her sisters played on the beach and even explored a beached WWI German submarine—a striking memory of the world that had shaped her early years.

She attended Kingsbury County School, and as the family moved to Kenton, she began preparing for a career in chemistry.

Joyce’s working life began at Heinz in Greenford, but was training as a chemist which resulted in a job at the Indestructible Paint Company in Park Royal.

It was there that she met Morris, the man who would later become her husband. Both worked in the same laboratory, testing paints used for military and industrial purposes.

At the outbreak of World War II, Joyce and Morris were initially in reserved occupations, meaning their work was considered critical to the war effort. However, Morris later left to serve in the RAF, where he was posted to Coastal Command in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).

Joyce remained in London, but she didn’t just continue her work—she stepped up to protect and save lives.

During the war, Joyce took on an incredibly dangerous role as a first aid responder in Park Royal. The area, filled with factories and industrial buildings, was a frequent target for Luftwaffe bombings, making her job life-threatening on a daily basis.

As bombs rained down, Joyce was often one of the first people on the scene, pulling the injured from the rubble of destroyed buildings. She risked her own life to provide critical first aid, stabilising victims in the chaos of air raids.

For Joyce, this was simply her duty—but to those she saved, she was nothing short of a lifeline in the darkness.

Her war years were grueling. Air raids often left London in ruins, which meant that her journey home could take over two hours. Still, she never wavered, always putting others before herself, undoubtedly saving many lives.

Though Joyce never sought recognition for her efforts, her son describes her as one of the unsung heroes of WWII—a woman who quietly made a difference in the lives of many, without seeking praise or reward.

Even in later life, she continued to help others, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, ensuring those in need received a warm meal. 
In a humorous yet telling reflection of her long life, she eventually stopped delivering meals—only because everyone on her route was younger than her.

At 95 years old, she renewed her driving licence online, proving that her independence and determination remained strong well into her later years.

Joyce continued to live independently for decades, staying in their home until she was 101.
Joyce has always had a very positive outlook on life and even now, at 108, is always smiling. 

Joyce’s story is just the first in this Women’s History Month series.

Next, we’ll be sharing the story of Audrey Cornall, who at just 18 years old, trained as a Gunner Girl in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), helping to protect Britain from enemy aircraft.

Follow our blog and social media to read more incredible stories of the women of Foxholes.

This story was written by Jovana Benson, as part of our Women’s History Month series at Foxholes Care Home.