UNIQUE ARMY CAMP

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23717, 15 August 1942, Page 4

UNIQUE ARMY CAMP

PREPARATION FOR WOMEN

BATHROOMS INSTALLED Bathrooms with real baths—these alone would make the camp being prepared in Canterbury for members of the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps unique among South Island military camps. The bathrooms are an indication of the concern the Army is showing for the welfare of the girls it is now recruiting for service with antiaircraft and other units. The camp, at present serving as a base training depot, will be ready for the W.A.A.C.’s when they are mobilised on August 22. Quite apart from the innovations being made for the benefit of the young women, the camp is looked on as probably the best temporary camp in New Zealand. The buildings taken over by the military are suitably arranged, there is a large tar-sealed area which is ideal for a parade ground, and the camp is close to good transport facilities. It will be vacated by the base training depot shortly before it is required for the use of the W.A.A.C.’s. “We realise girls need more room and more privacy than men,” commented an officer when explaining that they would use four-men huts, but with only two girls to each hut. He thought they would appreciate having the extra space in which to keep their clothing and other effects. Temporary shower baths which have served the men are being replaced by more elaborate arrangements. Each shower is in its own cabinet and each of the sjiower blocks includes several bathrooms. Drying room space is also being added to considerably. The camp will be occupied by the W.A.A.C.’s in the recruit stage of their training, after which they will be posted to units for advanced training. Preparations for unit camps show the same forethought that marks the conversion of the base training depot.