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Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 231, 12 September 1922, Page 7

Russian Amazon

NOW IN AUSTRALIA. THRILLING DEEDS. WOUNDED FIVE TIMES. Thrilling experiences were related by Madame Varvara Kassovskaia—now Mrs. James Mclntyre—who arrived in Australia by the P. and O. liner, Ballarat. A bride at 15, and a mother a year later, next a Russian prima donna, aud at the same time a member of a secret society plotting against the Czar; then a regular mounted soldier roughing it as a private with the Don Cossack /Vrrny, which fought against the Bolsheviks for over two years—these are only a few of the dare-devil adventures with which she has been associated. During her military career she was wounded five times, and to-day bears the scar of bursting shrapnel on her cheek. Other war souvenirs she retains include a knife thrust through the leg and a b.ullet hole through the knee. It is not surprising to find that she also possesses military decorations of the highest order yet obtained by soldiers in petticoats. In fact, one medal—the Kornolieff—which she possesses ranks with our coveted Victoria Cross, and she is the only woman on whom the honour has ever been bestowed. She was awarded the medal for capturing, single-hand-ed a Bolshevik soldier with a machinegun. horse and ammunition, and taking them personally up to her commander. The decoration represents Christ’s crown of thorns pierced by a dagger and is symbolical of the patriotic selfsacrifice made by the owner. The other medals, the Order of St. George and For Valour, speak for themselves, and show what indomitable courage the fair warrior must have possessed.