1943-2006, Labour MP
There are many lovely stories about Tony Banks, who was passionate, principled, generous, congenitally irreverent, with just a slight tendency to go over the top.
When Mother Teresa visited London, the papers were full of pictures of that hunched saintly figure. Into the Commons chamber comes Margaret Thatcher, bending double as she moves along in order not to disturb proceedings. Suddenly the member for Newham North West says loudly: “Here comes Mother Teresa.” Even Tory cabinet ministers joined in the laughter, covering their faces with their hands in the hope that she would not notice.
On another occasion Norman Tebbit rose to address the Commons and, in the brief silence that preceded his opening words, Banksie was heard to say: “What’s he doing out? It’s not dark yet.”
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— Chris Mullin MP, The Guardian
Iris Bower
1915-2005, D-Day nurse
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Iris “Fluff” Bower was one of two RAF nursing sisters to land on the Normandy beaches in June 1944. When the beachmaster saw the two women in the pale light he simply said: “Good God!” Iris was determined to look her best when she faced the Germans. She had put on her lipstick and carried a small waterproof make-up bag. “I was not going to land in Normandy looking a sight,” she commented. Every morning, with shells flying overhead, she took care to apply her Elizabeth Arden lipstick.
— The Daily Telegraph