THE WOMEN'S ARMY AUXILIARY CORPS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9812, 8 November 1917, Page 6

THE WOMEN'S ARMY AUXILIARY CORPS.

One of the most interesting of recent war movements is the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, which resulted from the success of the Women’s Legion, in providing cooks and waitresses for the home camps duririp; the first two years of the war. says a London correspondent.- Some months ago the Government sent Airy Chalmers Watspn to France to see if wider use could bo made of women, in the army. Mrs Watson is one of tEo discoveries of the great war, and •s a sister of Sir Eric Geddcs, the First Lord of the Admiralty, and Sir Auckland Geddes, Minister for National Service. She is also a niece of Airs Garrett Anderson. M.D.. and was the first •woman M.t>. in Scotland. In France Alts Chalmers Watson was impressed with the possibility of releasing men for the firing line by substituting women in many employments, and came home to organise the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corns. In the army Mrs Watson has a rank equivalent to that of a brigadiergeneral, and her corps is organised on lines similar to that of tho regular army. Thousands of women have already been recruited, and are serving in France. - For her kit each woman is allowed .£5 10s. and it consists of an army greatcoat, a khaki-coloured _ coat frock, a hat, strong shoes, two pairs of stockings. ■ and two overalls. In France tho members, of , .the oorpg sleep in dormitories, separate cubicles being provided for washing. Mrs Watson has arranged for plenty of sport and amusement. Hockey clubs have been formed, and bathing is popular at the seaside camps. 1 " Men friends may bo invited to concerts and dances organised by the W.A.A.C. Many of the recruits have coin© from the London Post Office, and the work includes tho care of soldiers’ graves, cooking, typing, and clerical work. Experience has shown that four women will allow of three men being sent to the firing line.