MARY CHURCHILL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24833, 5 February 1942, Page 7

MARY CHURCHILL

PRAISED BY A.T.S. CHIEF It is no secret that Mary Churchill is the outstanding member of the Prime Minister's family. / She is pretty and gay, but natural. When she joined up with the A.T.S. she went off to a crowded training centre like any other recruit, but,it.was not long before this 19-year-old girl displayed extraordinary Ghurchillian gifts of leadership with a knack of getting things done. : , - It is only natural that the A.T.S. chief (Mrs Jean Knox) watched closely the career of her mpst famous recruit, says the London correspondent of the Melbourne Herald. She told training school officers to "watch Private Churchill and send reports to London headquarters." These were ; so glowing that Mrs Knox decided that possibly the officers were slightly prejudiced by the Churchill glamour, so she .planned a visit of inspection.to this, depot with the Princess Royal, who was also interested to see Mary in another setting. Mrs. Knox said afterwards: "Mary is certainly exceptional. I asked for six recruits, including Mary, to be presented- to the Princess Royal She looked trim in uniform, and by her bearing showed that she was taking easily to army discipline. "Later she waited on the tables as scrupulously as the family butler I, have seen on my visits to the Churchill home." Since then Mary has been promoted lance-corporal, and has been urged to go to an officers' training unit, but she consistently brushes aside the idea of a commission. She does not ask for the family opinion, but decides these personal matters herself. She is not seeking any limelight, and there is no suggestion that her merits are being exaggerated because she is Mr ChurchillV favourite daughter.