WOMAN'S WORLD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24189, 3 February 1942, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD

WAR WORK IN CAIRO

DOMINION FORCES CLUB

SOUTHERN GIRL'S STORY

Following are extracts from letters written to her mother by Miss Joyce Gilmour, or to give her army style, Private C. J. Gilmour, YV.W.S.A. (Overseas Section,), Second N.Z.F.Ij., Middle Fast Forces. Miss Gilmour, who in civil life was lady editor of the Southland Times, was one of thirty young women who, in compliance with a request from General Freyberg, were selected by the Women's War Service Auxiliary to take up work in the iSew Zealand Forces Club at Cairo when they arrived in October last. All tne letters quoted were written belore the general commanding the New Zealand forces received his knighthood and became Sir Bernard Freyberg, and his wife is therefore spoken of as Mrs. Freyberg. The letters cover the period from October 4 to December 9. 1941. "Living In Luxury" "We are here, and are practically living in luxury. Our quarters are on the ninth floor of the club and are very comfortable. The rooms seem large after a ship's cabin. Our quarters are divided into flats of different sizes, fours, sixes and twelves. The two lieutenants and sergeants have a super one to themselves, with their ovvn sitting room. We have our own dining room, lounge, writing room and balconies and a staff of servants to look after us. Mrs. Freyberg came to meet us—she is charming, very English and jolly. There was a warm welcome for us here, and nothing has been spared to make us comfortable. From what we have heard the troops have been keenly awaiting our arrival and are anxious to see us.'' Parade Before General Freyberg The next letter stated: "We have been here a week and it seems like five minutes. We have got our working uniforms for use on duty in the club only. They are very nice—holland in a serviceable unbleached colour. They button right down the front, have tailored revers and the breast pocket bears tfi!> New Zealand Forces badge embroidered in green. The epaulettes are green to match and are initialled N.Z.F.C. The belt is faced with green, too. We wear silk stockings and at the moment white shoes. When our regulation ones come they will be summer sports shoes, the same colour as our frocks, and made of a light leather with a substantial sole to keep us off the hard concrete floors. There are not enough of us to be spared for anything but canteen work and if making sandwiches like a tiling possessed and selling ice cream, soft drinks, tea and cakes over a counter is my share of helping to win the war then 1 shall do it happily The troops do appreciate us and for that alone it is worth while. Time and time again they remark how good it is to see and talk to a New Zealand girl." In a subsequent letter the writer savs: "General Freyberg has seen us at work, and in our various uniforms. We were paraded for his benefit and our own, and he talked to us about our job and what is expected of us. He is an impressive figure with an impressive manner and bearing, and I should just hate to earn his displeasure."

MARQUETTE SURVIVOR

THE NATIONAL PARTY

SOCIAL NEWS

ENGAGEMENT

NURSE'S DEATH IN CAIRO (0.C.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Monday Cabled advice has been received of the death in Cairo of Sister S. L. Nicoll, sister of Sister B. Nicoll, of the staff of the New Plymouth Hospital, and Mr. W. P. Nicoll, New Plymouth. During thr last two years Sister Nicoll had resided in Cairo where her hospitality to members of the New Zealand forces serving in the Middle East was greatly appreciated. Sister Nicol! served with the New Zealand nursing staff in the Middle East during the 1914-18 war. After the war she carried on her profession in and about Egypt. For some years she was in charge of the hospital at Assonab while that dam there was being built. She was one of the survivors of the Marquette which was torpedoed in the East Mediterranean while conveying New Zealand units from Alexandria to Salonika, being picked up off an over-turned boat after 16 hours in the water.

The Women's Organisation of the National Party was addressed by Mr. D. N. Prior at their meeting in the Y.W.C.A. Hall. Dr. Hilda Northcroft presided. Speaking on "National Socialism and Womanhood" Mr Prior said this was a war of Ideologies. Paganism v. Christianity He pointed out what women owed to Christianity and the degrading influence of teaching of Nazism He urged women to realise the moral and spiritual issues at stake and strive to hold the home front on an absolute war basis.

Mrs. Trevor Brett, of Canterbury Place, Parnell. left last night for Wanganui. Mrs. Gordon Dransfield and Miss May Dransfield of Victoria Avenue, Remuera, are spending a holiday at Hotel Mon Desir, Takapuna.

Gray—Allen.—The engagement is announced between Laehlan James, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. I, Gray, Grey Street, Invercarjrill. and Barbara Joan, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs A Allen Kitchener Road Milford Auckland