G2IA 1932 Scotland
G2IA, GM2IA, Miss Ann J. Burns
It would be regrettable if the recent announcement of the
death of Miss Ann J. Burns GM2IA should be allowed to pass
without mention of the piece of history she left us a
letter signed by Marconi himself in November 1928, congratulating
her on being the first woman in Great Britain to gain the
Postmaster Generals first cass certificate with Q.G.
endorsement. While being unable at that time to suggest an
adequate outlet for her abilitities, as a ship operator, he would
let her know if the policy regarding women operators changed.
As the one girl in a family of eight brothers, Miss Burnd
developed and interest in radio which led her taking a course in
magnetism, radio and electricity in Glasgow. When her hopes of
becoming a ship's radio officer were dashed she took her pilots
license and became one of the few woman members of the Scottish
Flying Club. Naturally her operating interest was mainly in CW.
However, she became deeply involved in local government and was
to become the longest serving councilor in Scotland. When she
died on 20th July 1990, Berwickshire lost one of its most
prominent citizens who had been made a Honorary Freeman in the
Dicstrict in 1987.
Although always known in her public life as Councilor Miss
Burns, in fact GM2IA was married in 1941, and we are
grateful to her daughter for supplying the information concerning
her wenterprising and public-spirited mothers life.
(Source: Constance Hall, G8LY)
"... Other pre-war operators in the UK were Miss Constance
Hall G8LY, still active today on 80m, and Miss D.A.J. Burns
GM2IA, now a Silent Key."
(Source: Walt Davidson G3NYY, ex-Science Museum, London
historian, e-mail to QSL COLLECTION)
73, Wolf, OE1WHC, DokuFunk
BYLARA listed British YL's in succession, April 2014. According to this list Ann Burns, G2IA would be the 3rd licensed YL in Britian.
Mrs C.E. Ingram 1913 1XI - Head
of telegraphy training school
Barbara Dunn 1927 G6YL
Ann Burns 1928 G2IA
Nelly Corry 1934 G2YL
Constance Hall 1935 G8LY
Catherine Myler 1938 G3GH
QSL & Info courtesy of QSL
Collection at DokuFunk, Vienna
Tnx OE1WHC
YL list courtesy of BYLARA