Many thanks everyone I think we know (99.9%) that she took her mother’s maiden name (why?) to her land army registration and marriage to Glenister.
I found a birth for a Geoffrey G Baird born in London in 1952 but mother’s name was a Grant. There is another Geoffrey J Baird born in Ealing / London in 1953 and mother’s name shon as Baird. If the South Africa voyage in November 1953 is correct then she left another child with his father ?
In reply #54 Carole has comprehensively ruled out the South African Baird family - who come from Peterhead, nr Aberdeen. And the ages of the children shown on that voyage don't work with Ethel's 1928 birth.
I think the South Africa story is a red herring - it would be interesting to find out exactly how it arose. It's certainly not unusual for a firm story to be told within a family history to be debunked when it's finally investigated.
I'm not saying Ethel didn't travel abroad - but not on the Braemar Castle in November 1953.
In terms of finding Ethel Wills - not having much joy, though now have quite a large Quin/Wills family tree I'm building. The Quin family had a lot of early deaths. No sign of Ethel being brought up with any of them so far as I can see, but maybe I need to go back another generation from Winifred Quin Wills' siblings.
Added: I think it's worthwhile getting the birth certificate for Ethel Wills as shown
Ethel Wills registered Mar qtr 1928 Salford RD
Mother's Maiden Name: Quin
Volume 8d p 373
Just to see if it is indeed the right one, and also if I've got the marriage right.