Trailblazer Ena Collymore-Woodstock dies at 108

Trailblazer Ena Collymore-Woodstock, who was Jamaica’s first woman resident magistrate, now called parish judge, and a World War II veteran, has died.

Collymore-Woodstock passed away on Tuesday at age 108.

She was born in Spanish Town, St Catherine, in September 1917 and attended Central Branch School and St Hugh's High School.

During her very active legal career, she broke several glass ceilings as she ventured into territories that were considered male-dominated.

When she saw a newspaper advertisement for applicants to fill a vacancy for a male clerk at the then Sutton Street Resident Magistrate’s Court, she applied and was employed as a typist.

Collymore-Woodstock served in that capacity until 1943, when she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women’s branch of the British Army.

She became the first West Indian to become a radar operator and became Britain’s oldest surviving female Second World War veteran.

After travelling by boat from Jamaica to England, she was first offered a clerical job at the War Office, but she strongly protested, as she wanted to be on the front line.

Collymore-Woodstock later became Britain’s first Black female radar operator.

She and her team would radio their command post to inform them of enemy planes on the horizon so that counter-attacks could be coordinated.

She also served in Belgium.

After serving in Belgium, she returned to England, where she trained to become a barrister at London’s Gray’s Inn.

She was called to the Bar in 1948, and upon her return to Jamaica two years later, was appointed the country’s first female clerk of the courts, and later became a crown solicitor.

Collymore-Woodstock went on to become Jamaica’s first female resident magistrate on August 7, 1959.

Among her awards were the Order of Distinction by the Government of Jamaica and the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

In paying tribute to Collymore-Woodstock, the Jamaica Defence Force said she had a stellar and distinguished career both within and outside the military.

The army saluted her for her work.

“Long live your legacy, Mrs Ena Collymore-Woodstock!”

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.