Heather Bell

Reader's Letters & Queries: NarrowBoat, Autumn 2011

Continuing the Daphne March and Heather Bell stories, the Summer 2011 NarrowBoat contains at least two further references. The photograph in ‘The Anglesey Alternative’ showing the coal-loading chute in action was almost certainly taken in the Autumn 1941 as it shows Heather Bell being loaded. Christopher March, on leave from the Merchant Navy, had joined the crew for this part of a trip and is shown in several more pictures in the Gayford Collection. A second connection can be found in the article on John Harker. New in 1937, Darleydale H was involved in a collision with Heather Bell on the Severn in December 1941, which resulted in the narrowboat being sunk in shallow water. While the boat was being salvaged and repaired, Eily (Kit) Gayford was given leave and it was during that leave she decided to quit boating and join the WAAF. Unfortunately for Eily, but fortunately for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Co and the Ministry of War Transport, recruiting for the WAAF had…