MADAME JESSIE STRATHEARN
WELL KNOWN TO NEW ZEALAND
SOLDIERS,
■Madame Jessie Strathearn, L.R.A.M., who has just arrived by the Athenic to take part in a six months' tour in this country on behalf of the Mission at West Ham, London, is a lady who is connected in several ways with New Zealand, and has always had a great interest in the country. Her father was the Rev. John Strathearn, who came out to New Zealand many years ago as assistant to the Rev. Dr. S'almond, of Dunedin.. Madame Strathearn, who, -after war was dcclai-ed, cancelled her engagements and went to France) was oiie of the first to organise entertainments for soldiers. She sang to the first New* Zealanders and AustrsJians who arrived on the' scene at Etaples, and kept her interest in them throughout the war. Madame hopes that all Now Zealand soldiers who met her abroad, will maka an opportunity of meeting her if possi,ble. She recalled that they named her entertainments "The Qne Horse Show," as she sings both contralo and soprano songs, plays her own accompaniments, and is a raconteur as well. Before the Battle of Arras- she considers that she accomplished her "record," as she gave "the boys" no less than forty-nine songs. Madame Strathearn, who is under Roya! .patronage, is an enthusiast about the West Ham Mission. Over 1500 women gather in the premises every Mon. 'day evening for a service. "They are too poor," said Madame sympathetically, "to dress up for a Sunday service, but they love coming on Monday." About 800 girls are entertained upstairs in the building, and more young men downstairs daily. It is a fine effort at helping to build good citizens and foster,the spirit of comradeship, which is so necessary to-day, and-is well deserving of New Zealand's assistance. Madame Strathearn is so convinced of the usefulness of the work that when the request came to her for help, she cancelled her engagements (which, extend to May, 1922) for six -months and "came over to help", immediately. '
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19210224.2.118
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 47, 24 February 1921, Page 9
Word Count
337MADAME JESSIE STRATHEARN Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 47, 24 February 1921, Page 9
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