A Warminster widow has spoken of the lasting support she has received from the Warminster Military Wives Choir, describing the group as her ‘second family’ following the death of her husband.
Angeline Bowser joined the Warminster Military Wives Choir after moving to the area from Chester in 2012.
Her husband Jason, who she called Jay, was part of the Royal Welsh Regiment based in Tidworth, but was posted at Waterloo Lines, Warminster.
Angeline said, “When I joined, the choir practised in the community centre. I remember walking in and feeling very scared because I didn’t know anyone in Warminster. But I went in, sang, and then walked home that day with 40 new friends.”
At Christmas in 2012, Jay was diagnosed with AML leukaemia and was forced to step back from the Army while undergoing intensive cancer treatment and a stem cell transplant.
“It was a tough year,” said Angeline, whose son serves in the Mercian Regiment.
“I wouldn’t have got through it without the girls at the choir. Their support was amazing. It would only take one message in a group chat and I’d have people coming over for a chat, offering to pick up food, asking if I needed help with the children.
“I lost myself when Jay got ill, so the support at the choir was really significant to me. 2013 was a bit of a blur. I leaned on the girls a lot, as my world felt so dark.”
When Jay was initially told that his cancer treatment had been successful in 2018, Angeline became choir lead for the Warminster Military Wives for a second term.
The couple remained active in the community and also ran Pursuit Military and Outdoor Supplies, and Sentinel Training and Security Ltd, in the town.
But at Christmas in 2017, Jay was diagnosed with AML leukaemia again. This time, it was even more aggressive, and limited treatment could be given due to the nature and severity of the cancer.
Angeline said, “That was a hard Christmas because we knew how little chance we had. We lost Jay nine weeks later after intense treatment began. The choir became everything to me. These girls were more than friends; they were, and still are, my extended family.
“Jay’s funeral was at St Denys here in Warminster and was the second-to-last military funeral in the town.”
Before Jay died, he had chosen the songs he wanted for his funeral from the new album Remember, which Angeline and the Military Wives Choir had just recorded in January 2018. He had helped Angeline learn the songs at his bedside on Pembrooke Ward at Salisbury Hospital.
Jay had also asked if the Warminster Military Wives Choir would sing for him at his funeral, to which they all agreed. More than 50 Military Wives Choir members travelled from across the UK and overseas, alongside the Warminster choir members.
Angeline said, “Without the girls there, I wouldn’t have been able to go and follow that coffin. I needed them by my side.”
In September 2020, Angeline decided to retrain as an adult nurse and went on to work on William Budd Ward at the Dyson Centre, Bath RUH. A month ago, she transferred to Dorothy House Hospice in Winsley, where she now supports people diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses who need specialised palliative or end-of-life care.
Angeline still sings with the Warminster Military Wives Choir and is currently serving another term as choir lead.
Her favourite memories include performing at the Invictus Games in 2014 and recording albums with the choir over the years, including November Sunday, which was recorded for the King’s Birthday last year in London.
Angeline said, “I want everyone to see what I’ve got here at the choir. These ladies are my family – I want to show them off. This isn’t just us singing our hearts out, we connect with the wider community whenever we perform.
“My favourite songs to sing together are either Stronger Together or For Good, as they’re about friendship and how important that is to all of us.”
The Warminster Military Wives Choir is open to anyone with a military connection – including those currently serving, veterans, mothers, sisters and daughters – and they meet Mondays between 6.30pm and 8.30pm at St Giles Garrison Church, Warminster.
For more information, email warminster@militarywiveschoirs.org
The Warminster Military Wives Choir will also perform as part of the Frome Festival on Friday 4th July at Frome’s Assembly Rooms at 7pm, in aid of children’s charity Purple Elephant.
Tickets are available at: www.tickettailor.com/events/purpleelephantfamilysupportcio/1671836
Pictured at top: Angeline has thanked the military wives who have been by her side throughout everything.
