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[Page 49]
-18-
The result was that the men out numbered the women by two to one.
The Officer in charge of the Air Craft Depot, rang me to say Ron had been specially commended by his C.O. for photographic work and the next day I had a surprise visit from Ron on his way to England for a special course of wireless telephony. I went down with him to the boat. During Xmas week, a party of Australian soldiers who formed a concert party and styled the "Kookaburras" gave a series of entertainments in the Municipal Theatre at Boulogne, and one afternoon at the invitation of the Australian Paymaster I and my staff occupied a box. Afterwards, I invited them to take tea on the following Sunday, and they gave a delightful program for the Women's entertainment.
About a week later Ron returned from his course and confirmed the news, the same day from Cecil, that the Medical Board had ordered his return to Australia.
Only a few days later came word that he had sailed by Hospital ship. I was disappointed not to have been able to see him but it was splendid that Ron's course filled in so that they were able to meet.
Reference to my diary, shows that just about this time Air Raids were particularly active. Night after night we were awakened, and had to take refuge in the cellar. It was not always that we would find, next morning, that probably Etaples or Calais had suffered, for if anywhere within twenty miles we always got the alarm, and orders to take cover. Naturally the women got nervy through having their sleep disturbed, but only in very few instances did their work suffer. They were always ready to take their places at the appointed time in the morning.
One night, taking their broken rest into consideration I did not have the bell sounded taking the responsibility of waiting until I might hear the sound of falling bombs. Very soon I did, and realised how foolish it was to allow