WOMAN'S WORLD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25297, 3 September 1945, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD

AMBULANCE HONOUR LADY LOUIS MOUNTBATTEN (Reed. 0.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. I The King has approved the promotion of Lady Mountbatten to be a Dame Grand Cross or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. It is strange to think of one of the wealthiest, 'most beautiful arid best dres.'ied leaders of English society scrubbing floors in a London hopital. 'that, however, was one of the war jobs undertaken by Lady Louis Mountbatteu, who move recently accompanied her husband, Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatteu, to Jndia and Burma, when he was appointed Supreme Allied Commander, South-east Asia Command. Lady Louis Mountbatten, who is at the head of the London division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, felt that if she were to take responsibility ior London's young trainees during wartime she must train herself as a V.A.D. first. She began her course at a London hospital, being on duty at 8 a.m. daily. She did 100 hours of this duty. In her capacity as odd-job woman she scrubbed floors, was on duty m the operating theatres and helped to prepare civilian wounded for treatment. When Poplar, an East End borough, appealed for 50 V.A.D.'s to assist in the air-raid shelters, Lady Louis Mountbatteu was one of those who responded. On one occasion when Lady Louis Mountbatteu was in a hurry to keep several appointments, her motor-car was stopped on a London railway line because five small delayed action bombs were lying unexploded near by. She sent her chauffeur off in the car to take the longer and safer route while she crossed the line on foot and alone. One of the bombs then exploded, but Lady Louis Mountbatten was far enough away to avoid injury. The only damage was to her clothing when the force of the explosion threw her into a hedge. There are very few countries Lady Louis Mountbatten haa not visited. In September of 1932 she and the Marchioness of Milford Haven crossed Palestine to Northern Persia and then journeyed right across the desert to the south. They travelled light, unaccompanied by servants, and used cars, aeroplanes, horses, camels and donkeys as their means of transport. New Zealand has been included in Lady Louis Mountbatten's itinerary. She paid a short visit to the Dominion some years ago. WEEKEND WEDDINGS GRIFFITHS—LENNOX The wedding took place at St. Matthew's Church on Saturday afternoon of Miss Alice Emily I>ennox, youngest daughter of Mrs E. Tanner, of Auckland, and the late Mr Christopher Lennox, and Private Alfred Henry Griffiths, N.Z.M.C., returned prisoner of war, of Auckland. Canon R. G. Coats officiated. The bride, who was given away by her brother. Leading Aircraftman C. Lennox, wore a gown of ivory satin, cut on classic lines, with a net yoke and a long train edged with niching. Her veil was held in place with a topknot of flowers and she carried a sheaf of lilies and freesias. The matron of honour, Mrs Isabelle Redden, and the bridesmaids, Miss Margaret Lennox, both nieces of the bride, and Miss Lesley Newman, niece of the bridegroom, wore frocks of cyclamen taffeta and net caps with floral topknots. Their bouquets were of daffodils and cyclamen. The best man was Mr Arthur Griffiths, cousin of the bridegroom, and the groomsman Mr William Lennox, brother of the bride. A reception was afterward held at the Commodore Lounge, where the bride's mother received the guests. HI LEY —STEWART The wedding of Miss Helen Alexandra Stewart, second daughter of Mr and Mrs J. R. N. Stewart, of, Epsom Avenue, to Mr Leslie Ernest Rilev, second son of Mr and Mrs E. Riley, of Adelaide, took place on Saturday at St. Andrew's Church, Symonds Street. The Rev. D. Pryor officiated. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a trained frock of cream georgette appliqued with satin and a tucked bodice. Her veil of handembroidered net was held in place by a topknot of flowers and her bouquet was of hyacinths and sweet peas. The matron of honour, Mrs George Beck, sister of the bride, wore a frock of blue georgette cut on similar lines to the bride's frock. She carried a bouquet of red anemones and sweet peas and wore a spray of flowers in her hair. Mr D. Rainbird acted as best man. A reception was held after the ceremony at the Parnell Tea Kiosk. MARRIAGE PLANNED AIRMAN FROM AUCKLAND (0.c.) LONDON, Aug. 15 A marriage has been arranged, and will take place on September 22, at Holy Trinity Church, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, between Flight Lieutenant Peter Donald McNeil, R.A.F.V.R., eldest son of Mrs E. A. McNeil, Be resford Street, Bayswater. Auckland, and the late Mr Peter McNeil, and Miss Helen Man Caldicott, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs W. H. Caldicott, Middlefield House. Gainsborough. Flight Lieutenant McNeil left New Zealand before the war to join the R.A.F., but transferred to the Air Ministry, where he held a technical position. Early in 1940 he returned to the R.A.F. and was granted a commission. In January of this year he was promoted to the rank of squadron leader when ho was chief technical officer of a newly-formed Lancaster squadron in England. OUT OF THE SERVICES BUYING CIVILIAN CLOTHES (0.C.) LONDON. Aug. 7 Armed with 56 clothing coupons and the sum of £l2 lOs, the first members of the Women's Royal Naval Service, Auxiliary Territorial Service and Women's Auxiliary Air Force to return to civil life in Britain under the general scheme of demobilisation, invaded London department stores recently to buy their "civvies." One of London's' biggest stores held a mannequin parade specially for these girls. The ex-service women mostly chose new. bright, clear colours. One bought a cherry red woollen coat, fully lined, at £4 10s avid LS Coupons. Another bought a honey-coloured herringbone tweed coat and also spent seven coupons and £4 on a vivid rayon dress with touches of scarlet. Another seven coupons and £1 4s went for a utility twin set. This girl was left with 21 coupons for a skirt, shoes, stockings and underwear and just under £3 with which to buy them. ENGAGEMENTS Calvert—Bell.—The engagement is announced between Geoffrey Neil, youngest son of Mr and Mrs A. H. Calvert, of Claudelands, Hamilton, and Pamela Muriel, younger daughter of Mr and Airs H. G. Boil, of Remuera, Auckland. ; Cox—Clarirtge.—The engagement is announced between Lieutenant Harris Cox, IT.S.N., of Texas, U.S.A.. and Moltie, only daughter of Mrs E. and the late Mr H. A. Olaridge. of Auckland. The wedding will take place shortly. Smith—Rosso.—The engagement is announced between William John, only son of Mr and Mrs W. It. Smith, Monavale. Cambridge, and Margaret. Edna, only daughter of Mr and Mrs V Hnsso. Cambridge.