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of my friend, the Hon. Mrs. Edwards, and heard him express his personal appreciation of the Colonial Fighting Forces. Lady Birdwood as a hospital visitor is well known to many, and for her charming and winsome manner she is much beloved. About the middle of March Ron, my younger son, gained his Commission as a Flying Pilot. His theoretical training gained at Exeter College, Oxford, and during these months we had many meetings. Cecil still remained at an Aerodrome instructing and it was very interesting to hear that he had flown over to congratulate his brother.
It was not at all unusual for us all to meet in London and they were very joyous occasions. I enjoyed very much being taken by either or both to famous hotels and restaurants, and the life at these could not have been gayer in pre-war days. It was good to see the young Officers on leave with well dressed women friends looking quite care-free, forgetful for the time of the horrors they had left and would soon again return to. A delightful place of meeting once a week was the Automobile Club taken over for the comfort and entertainment of the Overseas Officers. A committee of ladies arranged a programme each Tuesday and among the guests of Honour we met there, were The Duke of Connaught, Sir Douglas and Lady Haig, Princess Patricia and Princess Mary.
In the beautiful Concert Hall many fine artists performed and there were many prominent hostesses. The Countess of Dunmore we were indebted for our standing invitation besides which she very kindly invited us to St. James's Theatre where the Late Sir George Alexander was playing in the "Aristocrat", and the night we were there Genevieve Ward celebrated her eightieth birthday and received many congratulations and presentations. I so well remember more years that I care to count seeing Genevieve Ward in "For-get-me-not". It was my first play and made a lasting impression.
We have a permanent record of her philanthropy in the Ward she erected at the Alfred Hospital bearing her name.
To meet Lady Mary Meynell the Countess Leitrim invited