Person

Annie Chicken was born in West Herrington on 20 February 1887. On the 1901 census she can be seen living with her parents, John and Mary Chicken, her sister and two brothers. Ten years later, on the 1911 census, she is recorded as being a domestic servant in the household of Robert Stephenson, a shipbroker.

According to her Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) records, Annie joined the Women’s Legion in October 1916. The Women’s Legion was a forerunner of the WAACs that was founded in 1915 by Lady Londonderry. The purpose of the Legion was to provide auxiliary services to the British Army, but it was not under formal government or military control. Annie served as a cook with the Legion at Catterick army camp.

The success of the Women’s Legion, and other similar organisations, inspired the foundation of the WAACs in February 1917. Work that had been taking place on a voluntary and semi-informal basis was now formalised and brought under control of the British Army. Annie transferred to the WAACs in July 1917. A month later she sailed from Southampton to Rouen to cook for the British Army in France.

Annie Chicken worked in France from August 1918 to October 1919. During that period she was stationed at Calais, Camiers, Rouen and Wimereux. On 28 October 1918 she was allowed 10 days’ leave. According to her records, it appears that she tried to get an extension to her leave so that she could she her sister. This was not granted as an acceptable excuse. While serving in France Annie was also admitted to No. 6 General Hospital, Rouen between 3 and 10 July 1919. Her records note the reason as “NVD”; possibly nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Little is known about Annie after the war. However, she does appear on the 1939 register, unmarried, living with her mother in Hetton-le-Hole and working as church caretaker.

The Long, Long Trail website, page about women’s organisations and the British Army:
http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/women-and-the-british-army-in-the-first-world-war/

Civil Parish: Hetton le Hole

Birth date: 20-Feb-1887

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 11 West Row, West Herrington (1901 census)
Benwell Lodge East, Benwell, Newcastle (1911 census)
8 Percy Street, Hetton-le-Hole (1918 Absent Voters’ List)
23 Percy Street, Hetton-le-Hole (1939 Register)

Employment: Domestic servant (1911 census)
Cook (WAAC records)
Church caretaker (1939 register)

Family: Parents: John Chicken, Mary Chicken
Siblings: Margaret Chicken, Stanley Chicken, Matthew Chicken (1901 census)

Military service:

Joined Women's Legion: 19 October 1916
Served as cook at Catterick
Transferred to Women's Army Auxiliary Corps: 23 July 1917
Number: 1887
Embarked from Southampton to Rouen: 23 August 1918
Transferred to Calais: 30 August 1918
Transferred to Camiers: 20 October 1918
Transferred to Rouen: 25 October 1918
Transferred to main camp, Wimereux, near Bologne: 23 August 1919
Transferred to main depot: 10 October 1919
Dispersed: 10 November 1919
(WAAC record, The National Archives, WO/398/39)

Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal

Gender: Female

Contributed by Durham County Record Office