STORY OF ANN BECK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 123, 28 May 1941, Page 4

STORY OF ANN BECK

NORWEGIAN WHO SEEKS

WAR WORK WOMEN'S AUXILIARY CF THE N.Z. AIR FORCE Behind the story of Miss Ann Beck, who came to New Zealand in 1937 because another Norwegian girl, who has since married in the Dominion, was lonely, is something intensely human. Miss Beck, het country at the mercy of the Germans, is often homesick, wondering how her people are faring and comparing her own position in New Zealand with theirs under the Nazi yoke. Keen to bo of service in the war against Hitler. Miss Beck disposed of her business interests in Wanganui and offered herself as a volunteer in the Women's Auxiliary’ of the New Zealand Air Force, in any capacity that organisation consider suitable. She left Wanganui at the end of April, and in company with Mrs. E. \V. Ci tt'ingley, wife of the licensee of the Imperial Hotel, Wanganui, called on the chief woman executive in Wellington and volunteered. She hopes to be gh en a position eit her at Wcraroa or Bel! Block, New Plymouth, so that she may be able to make Watiganu! her headquarters. Mis.-, Beck came to Wanganui at the invitation of another Norwegian girl, working for Mr. and Mrs. lan Higgle, Okoia. Ihe first girl always had a longing for the company of people of her own race, and with M". and Mrs Higgtc's help, succeeded in bringing Ann to New Zealand. The two girls worked a 1 Okoia together until one of them married. Later. Miss Beck went into business on her own account in Wanganui She often remarked on the apathy New Zealanders showed sometimes in relation to the war. "They do not know,” she said in effect, “just what.

it will mean if Hitler wins. If they would let me fly a plane 1 would do so. but if I cannot do that, they will perhaps let me do something—cook, or drive a lorry, perhaps." Capable of handling the heaviest lorry, or driving the latest in small cars, Miss Beck considers she is fitted to serve the war effort very effectively. She is a splendid cook. She has undergone her medical test for service and has been passed fit. Rung up in Wellington yesterday, she told the "Chronicle" that she had high hopes of being accepted and would know either to-day or tomorrow. It was natural ’that Norwegian seamen, during their visits to Wanganui, would become friendly with one if teen own race. Ono young lad. who has establish id a friendship wit.i Mi. s Bi ck, is tr 'i.ig to secure a place n what remains of the Norwey ta i Navy in the serv.ee of Britain. When she first came to Nev. Zealand, Miss Beck could not speak English, but she gradually’ tricked the language up. She still has some difficulty, however, in being unde . -loud, and it was for that reason that -no took Mrs. Cordingley along will, her when volunteering in the Women's Air Force Auxiliary.