Created: Sep 22, 2026 06:57 AM
A Bermudian who rose to the occasion during the Second World War became a key figure in the island’s Remembrance Day events.
Motivated by a strong sense of responsibility, Isabell Flood enlisted at age 18 in the women’s division of the Royal Canadian Air Force – recalling in a 2015 interview with The Royal Gazette that an officer asked her why she chose to volunteer.
In her usual straightforward manner, she replied: “So men might fly.”
It was September 1943 when Mrs. Flood and six other Bermudian women joined the effort in Canada.
At that point, the war was shifting against Nazi Germany and its allies, but she understood the importance of acting quickly, saying: “I was just so interested in helping – I think I was too shy to be nervous.”
Mrs. Flood’s role focused on logistics rather than combat. She viewed volunteering as a natural progression after her time with the Brownies and Girl Guides back home.
“My mother wished me the best,” she said. “She gave me an American dollar, which I carried with me the whole time until I got back here.
“They all thought it was wonderful and wished me luck.”
Lest we forget: Isabell Flood, right, with Carol Everson, left, a welfare case worker with the Bermuda Legion, former Governor George Fergusson, his wife, Margaret, and veteran Donald Jolliffe gathering to commemorate Remembrance Day (File photograph)
A seaplane took them to New York. They then proceeded to basic training in Canada where she ended up in Ontario working in estates division handling the somber task of recording fallen soldiers’ deaths.
“Hundreds were dying daily and we were typing up the names of men who were dying overseas,” Mrs. Flood shared. “It was very hard because there were so many cards you had to fill out and every day you got a new list.
“There were about ten of us typing there and we saw their suitcases come in. It was very depressing so they told us not to go out into the warehouse. Just stay in.”
Isabell Flood (Photograph supplied)
Continuing to honor November 11 while still wearing her uniform well into her nineties, Mrs. Flood remarked in 2018: “Our uniformed services did very well – and I’m still standing up as well.
“It’s very important that we keep commemorating these events. Like they say ‘Lest we forget’.”
Even though her duties kept her away from direct combat zones, Mrs. Flood witnessed many wounded soldiers recovering in hospitals; some severely injured.
She mentioned that she “loved service” but had a negative view on warfare itself stating: “I don’t know why we have to have wars; why men have to die. And now women. It’s stupid.”
She spent three years serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force before deciding to stay back in Canada after completing her wartime responsibilities. She pursued studies in secretarial bookkeeping.
Mrs. Flood later married fellow veteran Arthur Flood , who passed away in 2013. Together they had two children , Rick and Vanese.
Isabell Marie Flood , a World War II veteran withthe Royal Canadian Air Force , was born on August9 , 1925. She passed awayin September2026 atage101
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Lest we forget: Isabell Flood, right, with Carol Everson, left, a welfare case worker with the Bermuda Legion, former Governor George Fergusson, his wife, Margaret, and veteran Donald Jolliffe gathering to commemorate Remembrance Day (File photograph)
A seaplane took them to New York. They then proceeded to basic training in Canada where she ended up in Ontario working in estates division handling the somber task of recording fallen soldiers’ deaths.
“Hundreds were dying daily and we were typing up the names of men who were dying overseas,” Mrs. Flood shared. “It was very hard because there were so many cards you had to fill out and every day you got a new list.
“There were about ten of us typing there and we saw their suitcases come in. It was very depressing so they told us not to go out into the warehouse. Just stay in.”
Isabell Flood (Photograph supplied)
Continuing to honor November 11 while still wearing her uniform well into her nineties, Mrs. Flood remarked in 2018: “Our uniformed services did very well – and I’m still standing up as well.
“It’s very important that we keep commemorating these events. Like they say ‘Lest we forget’.”
Even though her duties kept her away from direct combat zones, Mrs. Flood witnessed many wounded soldiers recovering in hospitals; some severely injured.
She mentioned that she “loved service” but had a negative view on warfare itself stating: “I don’t know why we have to have wars; why men have to die. And now women. It’s stupid.”
She spent three years serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force before deciding to stay back in Canada after completing her wartime responsibilities. She pursued studies in secretarial bookkeeping.
Mrs. Flood later married fellow veteran Arthur Flood , who passed away in 2013. Together they had two children , Rick and Vanese.
Isabell Marie Flood , a World War II veteran withthe Royal Canadian Air Force , was born on August9 , 1925. She passed awayin September2026 atage101Source link
