CONCERTO OF COURAGE

Chronicle (Levin), 28 November 1946, Page 2

CONCERTO OF COURAGE

This is the story of courage, of a girl vvlio would uot admit defeat. J'lx - W.A.A.F. isergeant Ivalhlccn Teake, of North Harrow, is the girl. Bhe has fought two liattles, both against prettv Idg odds. Bhe has won tliem. Bhe was a eoncert pianist when war came, and she joined the W.A.A.F. as a cookhouse worker. Bhe rose to ihe rank of sergeant, and was put in charge of a cookhouse. One day she was working a mixing maehine, and her left thunib was cauglit in the machine and was terriblv inJured. The lntud of a concert pianist! They said she was negligent. They denietl responsiijility. it seemed that ivathleen the pianist was limshed. But l^athlewi the woman, who stuck tip for iter rights, was not. Bhe faced Ihe R.A.F. At seven boards of inquiries Ivathleen fought her way over tiiu mou.'itaius of rings, red tape and gold braid until she came to Ihe Air Otticer Goiiimaiiding. The A.O.G.. gave ais lindings. Kath leen was not negligent; she was injured in tlie norinal course of her duty. Wliilst this battle wa. going on she was niostly iir hospital. Bhe had four operations. Bone was taken from her leg and grafted on her thunib. A year ago Ivathleen was discharged from the W.A.A.F. But it seemed that her thunib would never move again. But now Ivathleen began her battle Number Two. If she were going to plav the piano again that thunib must move. She got a job that gave her liands a lot of exereise. Everv day fpr three hours she tried nioving her thunib. Blie got a little response. Tlien nioro. Aud at last she was able to practise at the piano. Bhe triuniphed. At the Kodak Ilall, Wealdstonc, London, she gave her tirst concert since her injury. . All applauded her courage.