When War broke out, Betty and her family rushed down to London to help Belgian Refugees, some of whom they took into their home. When her aunt went to France in 1916 to work in a YMCA canteen, Betty volunteered to go as well.
It took a while for permission to be granted because Betty was only nineteen. When her aunt had to return home, Betty's Mother took her place and the pair worked together for many months before returning to the UK in November 1916. In 1917, Betty went back to France, where she worked as a driver but the long hours, hard work, erratic meals and weather took their toll on her health and Betty had several bouts of 'flu. One of her tasks as a driver was to drive visitors to their destinations, collect them and take them to their accommodation.
Betty was transferred from driving back to working in a canteen in Etaples in 1918. She was killed in an air raid on the night of 30th May 1918 as she was returning to their hostel with some of her fellow YMCA volunteers, after helping serve refreshments to French refugees at the station after a full day's work. The sad thing is that the air raid was over but the pilot of the plane jettisoned the bombs he hadn't used in the field where Betty had taken shelter. 
Betty was buried with full military honours in the British Cemetery in Etaples and was awarded the French Croix de Guerre aver Palme.
"Betty Stevenson, YMCA Croix de Guerre avec Palme Sept. 3rd 1896 - May 30th 1918", edited by Betty's parents G.G.R.S. and A.G.S., was published by Longmans Green and Company, New York, 1920 and is available as a download from Archive. It is well worth reading.
From the front pages of the book
To Betty Stevenson
When I feel I may complain
About a twinge or ache or pain
I think of Betty and her car
Driving round France during the War.
Lucy London, 2018
