WAR NURSES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 516, 27 April 1933, Page 6

WAR NURSES

Our Own Correspondent) .

HONOURED BY OPOTIKI MEMBERS OF R.S.A. ANNUAL REUNION HELD

(From

Opotiki, Wednesday. Three ex-war nurses were present at the Opotiki returned soldiers' annual dinner on Monday night, Miss E. McLeod, Mrs. A. Megaw and Mrs. A. Redpath. Not content with standing when i they entered, the gathering greeted them with loud and hearty applause. This, however, was nothing to the unrehearsed salute they were given later in the evening when they retired. Without hesitation every man rose , 'to his feet, some even mounted the chairs and benches the better to roar the old wartime chorus of "Wipe the Tear Baby Dear From Your Eye." The Rev. D. McDiarmid in proposing the toast of the nursing sisters, said he was partieularly pleased to ; see that the nursing service was represented that night. Having the nurses present was an inspiration to them all. He reminded his hearers that when . Florence Nightingale had taken her nurses out to care for the soldiers in the Crimea she^ was told that women could not stand the rigours of war : like the men could; she was told it ■ was undignified, unladylike and was i almost howled down. She and those i who had followed her up to the pre1 sent day had proved to the whole world that they could bear all the i hardships of war as well as the men. i No unif orm was so highly honoured l as that of the nursing sisters. One ■ and all took off their hats metaphori- ; eally and literally to the service. ; The health of the nursing sisters • was drunk with musical honours and cheers. Reply for The Nurses Dr. Redpath in replying on behalf ; of the sisters present said that they ' very much appreciated being asked to , be present that evening, but they felt ■ that they would like to have been • even more closely associated with the R.S.A. as they had no association of ■ their own. ; In wishing to be more closely as- - sociated, they did not desire to be an ; inspiration as had been suggested ear- ' her in the evening, so much as to as- ; sist once more if they could, any of • those returned men who were once i more suffering hardships. If they could in any way render ■ assistance in this direetion they were ' most anxious to do so in an effort to 1 show their appreciation of the interest shown in them that evening.