Welcome! Log In Create A New Profile

Advanced

Sandra Westgate wasn't real

March 18, 2024 09:48AM
Harry Crosby's relationship was with a British soldier, Sandra Westgate. She wasn't mentioned in the credits because she was a total fabrication in the story.
See article below.

Who Was Sandra Westgate from Masters of the Air? Bel Powley Tells Her Real Story

By Christine Canencia
23 FEB 2024 9:44 AM -06:00



The introduction of Sandra Westgate (played by Bel Powley) adds a light-hearted moment for Major Harry Crosby (played by Anthony Boyle), who is still reeling from the loss of his best friend, Bubbles Payne (played by Louis Greatorex).

Spending a week at Oxford, Harry is told that his roommate is a subaltern. Unfortunately, he struggles to pronounce the word properly, which he has to repeat several times.

When he finally meets Sandra, he already knows how to pronounce her job title correctly.

The two become close as Sandra comforts him over his struggle to accept Bubbles' death. It also gives Harry a chance to step away from Thorpe Abbotts, even just for a few days.

In the show, Sandra doesn't disclose what her job is. But we learned that a subaltern is part of the British Army with a rank below a captain's.

This is comparable to the US Army, which calls this role a First or Second Lieutenant. Basically, subalterns are junior officers.

During the war, women who served in the British Auxiliary Territorial Service were given a subaltern or second subaltern rank. The regular military ranks were later adapted for women in the 1950s.

So, what do subalterns do? They were significant individuals who had various jobs within the British Army.

Is Sandra Westgate a Real Person?

Unfortunately, there was no woman with the name Sandra Westgate during the war.

As such, the show created the character, which was inspired by the real women who were part of the ATS (previously the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps).


This branch of the British Army was only filled out by women. They were not given dangerous jobs like the men in the British Army. Instead, they had vital roles in communication, research, and transportation.

Who Is Bel Powley, the Actress Who Portrays Sandra Westgate in Masters of the Air?

Born Isobel Dorothy Powley, the English actress, Bel Powley, was born in London.

She started acting on TV when she was a teenager. Her first shows included M.I. High, Little Dorrit, Murderland, and Benidorm.

As of writing, Powley is 31 years old

[epicstream.com]







Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/18/2024 09:54AM by MamaRAMa.
SubjectAuthorViewsPosted

  Masters Of The Air... final word...

JamesJM118March 16, 2024 04:56PM

  We're watching the last one today. So far...

Ramgator47March 17, 2024 02:16AM

  I think I have mentioned it before....The Mighty 8th Air Force" Museum, off I-95..

Ramgator45March 17, 2024 02:19AM

  Re: Masters Of The Air... final word...

MamaRAMa50March 17, 2024 06:55AM

  Saw the final last night

waterfield62March 18, 2024 07:32AM

  Sandra Westgate wasn't real

MamaRAMa92March 18, 2024 09:48AM

  My Wife has been binge watching "The Morning Show".

Ramgator49March 18, 2024 10:12AM

  Re: My Wife has been binge watching "The Morning Show".

MamaRAMa42March 18, 2024 10:41AM

  DOH!!! Bel Powley is IN that ( The Morning Show) also. nm

Ramgator28March 18, 2024 03:04PM

  Re: Sandra Westgate wasn't real

waterfield40March 18, 2024 07:28PM

  Re: Sandra Westgate wasn't real

MamaRAMa37March 18, 2024 09:14PM

  My only guess was Producers wanted to have a depiction of US Servicemen..

Ramgator28March 19, 2024 02:47AM

  Re: Sandra Westgate wasn't real

waterfield46March 19, 2024 09:31AM

  Re: Sandra Westgate wasn't real

MamaRAMa33March 19, 2024 12:14PM

  The end Credits just sorta bummed me out.

Ramgator32March 18, 2024 10:15AM

  We lost our last WWII/Korea vet a few years ago...

JamesJM69March 18, 2024 01:14PM

  American Legions. I have felt exactly the same and American Legions call that a problem.

Ramgator24March 18, 2024 03:09PM

  I have known only one WW1 Vet in my life. And that was almost 50 years ago.

Ramgator25March 18, 2024 03:14PM