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[Page 57]
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talking to men, and stealing overalls. You think you're a lady, but I have got more lady in my little finger than you have in your whole body. I was told to tell you that and now I've telt ye". I commanded her to be silent, and pointed out that if she persisted I should have her sent back to England in disgrace. In my presence I asked the forewoman to detail her duty, which she did.
Later the forewoman returned to say that Campbell was at work but she thought I ought to know that she had caused a disturbance in the street by accosting an Australian nurse, and saying that she didn't think much of her Country women, for they had one at the head of them, to which the nurse replied "Oh you must not think we are all alike".
I felt that if Campbell were going to allow her unbridled temper to run riot in the street, it would be better to transfer her to a more distant camp. It was a relief to hear she had expressed that wish, and I told her to put it in writing.
Her transfer, within a couple of days was effected, and I sent for Campbell to give her instructions, when, to my astonishment she broke down sobbing, and begged to be allowed to remain.
In her repentant mood she told me that it was not of her own accord she had been rude and insubordinate, but had listened to a "Tommy", who advised her to give me "cheek". That attitude of the "Tommy" towards women in control, is the outcome of the existent conditions of women's position in England. They cannot realise that women may have positions of authority, and in their hide bound tradition they are helped by many of the unthinking women who have been taught that a man regardless of mentality is their superior. Sometimes I noticed their readiness to Kow-tow to a Corporal or Sergeant who might come on an errand, and their disinclination to salute a superior officer of their own sex. Again not only the "Tommy" but those in higher authority were prone to suggest the unbecomingness of military uniform, and made our work more difficult by reason that some women (still of the unthinking class) in their desire to make themselves attractive