Born at 11 Springfield Gardens, Upper Clapton, Essex. As a child she lived a 6 Hoxton Square with Bernard and Ruth. She never married. Elsie was to become a driving force in the Sea Rangers, a girls seafaring version of Baden Powell's Scouting movement in the 1940's. She was WRVS County Commissioner for Hertfordshire, and she was awarded an OBE for services to young people through her association with the WRVS in 1978. Although I found no official record of this, the medal, ribbons and cut glass bowl were still in Elsie's possession when I visited her in 2007. During this visit I was given a tree that was correct to her (our) grandfather, but then went astray so was no help. I am still researching it.
Her award is listed in the London Times Archive 03/06/1978 (page 3): Miss Elsie M. L. Hyatt OBE. Area Controller N Yorks and Humberside, Region 2. WRVS. For services to young persons, awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire in the Birthday Honours, Prime Ministers list (James Callaghan).
York News Obit, 7/12/2009 :
HYATT Elsie Mary (Lesley) O.B.E. Of Coxwold North Yorkshire late of the Sailors Society and the WRVS. Peacefully after a long illness on December 2nd 2009. _ Thanksgiving Service at St Michaels Church Coxwold at 1.00pm on Monday December 14th 2009.
