"A Dorset woman at War" exhibition

Mabel Stobart and the Retreat from Serbia 1915, at Dorset County Museum, Dorchester (until 15 November 2014)

"We cannot allow women like Mabel Stobart to be forgotten. Her story of thrilling endeavour, bravery and service has never been more important for a generation of girls who often feel judged more on their looks than character. Through this grant we pay our respects to this remarkable Dorset woman and hope her spirit will spur others on to great things." Culture Secretary Maria Miller, leader of the Government First World War Centenary programme.

The main aim of my trip was to see the exhibition A Dorset Woman at War at the Dorset County Museum. Stobart was a supporter of the Suffragist movement and believed that women should earn the vote by demonstrating that they were as valuable to society as men. With thousands of other women she rose to the challenge during the First World War. They defied cultural and social barriers to achieve quite incredible things at the front and back at home, but sadly even today we have to fight in order to get their names heard. The exhibition which remains open to the public until the 15th of November is definitely worth a visit. It gives a brilliant insight into the work of Stobart in an accessible manner – appropriate for both adults and children. Furthermore, the emphasis of the exhibition is placed heavily on her activities in Serbia which are illustrated with unique photographs recording Stobart's experiences there. They trace her fearless journey from the tented field hospital she established in Kragujevac, near the front line, and the relentless 800 miles and ten weeks long trek over the Albanian mountains to her final escape from Scutari. Such an inspiration!

I did not know that in the same museum, under one roof, you could learn about Jurassic Dorset and Thomas Hardy, at Dorset famous writers, and Mabel Stobart, one of the heroines of the Great War. And I have to mention delicious cheese scones in their tea room.

After spending a few hours at the Dorset County Museum, the Keep Military Museum was not up to my expectations. Apart from the breath-taking view from the top, I cannot say that the old-fashioned, 'macho' image impressed me. These two museums may have joint tickets, but I did not find a single trace of Mabel Stobart and the Women's Sick and Wounded Convoy Corps - nothing about their work during the Balkan Wars and during the Great War in Serbia. Interestingly, in the Keep souvenir shop, where you can buy every possible war/army toy, amongst a good selection of books, I bought "Woman in the First World War". It was quite popular, I was told; mine was the last copy. It is obvious that the Keep needs to be updated.

How to get there? By train, bus or car.
I chose train - a cheap day-return ticket from Waterloo to Dorchester South for £15. It would have been better if I had stayed at least two days in Dorchester. There are so many things to see, to visit... Dorchester is a charming town and the landscape is so picturesque. Whether you're looking for Thomas Hardy or fossils from Jurassic coast, old tea shops or the seaside, you will enjoy it. I certainly did.

Zvezdana Popovic