REEFTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 1 March 1945, Page 7

REEFTON NOTES

rour Own Correspondent] LU REEFTON, February 28. ' MI . Tom' Kearns. Buller Road, „i n has received word that his niece Matron Phoebe J. Gibbs, who was listed in England in the New Year’s Honours for brave conduct on December 3, 1942, has now been mSed Ist: Class Royal Red Cross for brave conduct on March 3, and hears the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. The citation also records His Maiestv’s high appreciation for service rendered ' Two years ago when she was coming to New Zealand on furlough her ship was torpedoed. She helped man the oars until all survivors were rescued by a destroyer. r -Tie nursed the badly burned rescued men on board the destroyer and was transferred.,to several other ships before she eventually arrived here. Matron Gibbs who commenced her military career in Perth Hospital in Western Australia, was born at the Lyejl and was formerly Miss Kearns. Going overseas in 1915, she has over 30 vears’ military service to her credit. After the armistice she joined up with the regulars and with Queen Alexander’s Imperial Nursing Service. She has worked in various parts of the world, including Hong Kong, and Malaya. She has served through two wars and is now stationed at Allahabad, North West Frontier. India. This gallant nurse visited Reef ton two years ago and was the guest of Mr. and Mrs.' Tom Kearns.

At the Tennis Club’s competition for the Auld Cup, Sharpe’s team, comprising Messrs Sharpe, A. Archer, F. Archer, McVicar, Stacey, McDougall. F'anckhurst, Misses Archer, King, Fitzgerald, Barry, E. O’Flaherty Bierwirth, A.. O’Flaherty, Osborne, and Patterson defeated Elliston’s team—M'essrs Elliston, .Woods, Stanley, Young, Morgan, Buist, Mesdames Lowry, Marshall, Panckhurst, Misses Lockington, O’Malley, Simmes. Wells and Osborne by 85 games to 63 and 2 sets to 4. During the week games are being- played for the Hubbard Buttons and Club Buttons.