Antoinette Porter

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A veteran interview with

Antoinette Porter was just 17 when she tried to enlist. Keen on adventure, little could she have imagined that she would end up in Folkestone

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About Antoinette Porter

Antoinette “Tony” Porter joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service as a teenager and quickly found herself in one of the war’s more unusual roles. Selected to take part in Operation Outward, she and her fellow Wrens launched hydrogen balloons fitted with incendiary devices, designed to drift into Germany and cause disruption. The work was heavy, physical, and dangerous. Antoinette recalls the sheer effort of handling the balloons, the types of explosives used, and the burns and injuries some Wrens suffered.

Her interview goes beyond secrecy and danger. Antoinette paints a vivid picture of wartime Britain: the terrifying sight of V1 flying bombs overhead, the exhilaration of watching waves of Allied aircraft depart on D-Day, and the euphoric celebrations of VE Day.

Her memories also reflect on life after the war, as she considers the costs of more recent conflicts. Antoinette’s story brings humour, candour, and humanity to a hidden corner of the Wrens’ wartime service.

Credits

Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
Reviewed by:
Lucy Smith

Transcripts:
Please note that transcripts and closed captions in the video player are automatically generated by Vimeo.

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