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[Page 35]
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him to a Nursing Home near by and while he was being tended, went for his mother. She, poor soul, was so overcome with the grandeur of riding in a motor car, for the first time, and as she said with two military ladies that there was no trace of anxiety for the boy who, she said, "was always running out looking for trouble". His injuries, I heard later, kept him at the hospital for a fortnight and I was very relieved to hear that he completely recovered.
At that time it was usual to have a nightly air-raid for the moon was bright, and with nerves rather jarred from the day's experience, a visitation that night did not improve them.
Before a week was out I received instructions to report at Devonshire House and on arrival there found that I had been appointed as Unit Administrator for Nottingham and orders were to proceed there and open a draft hostel for 500 women.
Having been detained longer than I anticipated I decided to go to my old quarters at Queen's Gate for lunch and by another lucky chance (for want of a better name) while there a telephone message surprised me and it was from Ron who had come from France to fly a heavier machine, for he was being transferred to a bombing squadron, this is in accord with the new policy to inflict reprisals. I arranged that he should meet me at Charing Cross where I was to meet forty Australian wounded soldiers who through me the Superintendant had invited for tea.
We also met some girl friends from the Musical Academy and all went together to Grove Park. It was a beautiful summer's day. Tables were spread on the lawn and our forty cooks had prepared all manner of good things and were naturally very excited at the Australians arrival. The first they had met. There was a certain shyness at the beginning of the proceedings but with the tea the social ice melted and by the time the musical programme was over, there was great cordiality.
The Sergeant Major in charge who, by the way, happened to be from my own suburb, Middle Park, came on their behalf to ask if they might remain longer, and the Superintendant good