IT began with a letter. "When one of the girls from Canada wrote to me and said 'Did you realise there appears to be no national monument to the servicewomen who made a contribution to the Second World War?', I was shocked," Major David Robertson told the Evening Press in 1997.

It was a shameful omission which had also angered two women veterans. Former ack-ack girls Edna Storr and Mildred Veal joined Maj Robertson on a crusade to raise a women's war memorial.

Soon, their mixture of military directness and tireless devotion was drawing support from across Britain.

We were delighted to sign up. The Queen and Princess Anne came on board. Politician Betty Boothroyd and forces' sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn were quick to help.

It seemed as though victory was assured. But there were many battles still to be fought.

Maj Robertson initially appealed for £50,000. However, it became clear that much more was needed to do the job properly.

Astonishingly the cash was raised in just two years, planning permission was granted for a site in Whitehall and the trio celebrated a remarkable achievement.

Then a setback: the weight of the bronze sculpture could send it crashing into the Tube lines below. Strengthening the road would cost nearly £1 million.

Demonstrating the grit which typified war-time Britain, the York-based campaigners soldiered on. And today they celebrate final, sweet victory.

When it is in place near the Cenotaph, the memorial will be a long overdue tribute to thousands of women who sacrificed so much to safeguard our freedom.

It will also stand as a lasting testament to three remarkable crusaders: David Robertson, Mildred Veal and Edna Storr.

Updated: 10:03 Wednesday, April 28, 2004