WOMEN'S ARMY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 81, 5 April 1940, Page 10

WOMEN'S ARMY.

FORMED IN AUCKLAND. ; GREAT KEENNESS SHOWN. A Xew Zealand Women's Army Corps has been formed by a band of enthusiasts in Auckland, and they have been given permission to use the Drill Hall, Kutland Street, on Saturday afternoons, provided the building is not required by the military authorities for any other work. Soon after the war was declared, Mesdames C. I. Davis and L. Church, with the co-operation of ex-servicewomen, l>egan the organisation of the unit. The Auckland group, which is under the command of Major T). M. Hawkins, who was an administrative officer of the Women's Royal Air Force in England during the last war and is chairman of the New Lynn branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association, has progressed rapidly since its formation. Major Hawkins, in the last war, had under her command 1200 women, In the camps at Lympne and Kidbrooke, of which she w<»s officer in charge. About 100 women have "signed lip," and they have been training in the Operatic Society Hall in Crafton Road. The organisation is purely voluntary, and the women aim to be ready to give their services to the country if the need arises. There has bee.ll no official recognition so far, but training has been continued successfully. Recruits, who have signed up "for the duration," receive training in clerical work, canteen, cooking, V.A.D. and transport, while. French and German lessons have also been begun. The women are listed either as the "mobiles," who are prepared to <;o overseas if need be. and the "immobiles," who are preparing in case of necessity at home. Major Hawkins stated to-day that the women were completely loyal to their cause and that, if the.ir courajrc was less spectacular than that of the men. it was certainly equally durable.' Miss if. Scott, who had been in England training motor mechanic!* in the English Women's Army, had taken over the command of the Auckland transport division, added Major Hawkins.