AIR FORCE SCANDALS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 18, 16 October 1919, Page 5

AIR FORCE SCANDALS

THE DOUGLAS-PENNANT CASE. . London, October U. An inquiry line opened concerning the ease of Miss Violet Douglas-Pennant, who was dismissed from the- Women's Section of tlio Eoyal Air Force, the circumstances of which have boon agitating DOliticnl circles ior many months.—Aus.N.B. Cable Assn.

fThe case of Miss Violet Douglas-Pen-nant, who was dismissed from the position of Commandant of tlio Women's Koval Air Force, was dealt with in.n White Paper issued nt the end of May. In superseding her, the Air Ministry admitted her zeal and capacity, but said ulw was "grossly unpopular with everyoiip who hivd ever come in contact with her." In her iinal letter to the Ministry, Miss Douglas-Pennant said:—"l ncciiso Briiradic.r-General Livingston, Lieu-tonnnt-Colouol Bersey, and Mrs. Beatty MV.H.N.S.) of takiiiif slops within the W.R.A.F. to ibring about my dismissal from the post of commandant, their reaf.on for doing so being that I would not be a, uariv to the jobbery and inefficiency which prevailed in the W.Ii.A.F. while it. was under the coutrol of Brigadier(ienoval Livingston and the direct iiianakement of Lieutenant-Colonel Bersey. I charge Dame K. Purse, a friend ■ of Mrs. Bealfcy ami' of Sir Auckland Geddes, with having brought pressure, to bear through Sir Auckland Geddes on Lord .Weir and Major-General Branekcr to dismiss me as soon as Miiior-Genrral Sir Godfrey Paine, who siione knew about my work, had gone overseas. Immediately 1 was dismissed, Mr.i. Chalmers Watson, sislor of Sir Auckland Geades. was nominated as mv eucccisor, and failing her, Dame K. Furse."l