MEET THE COMMANDANT

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 83, 24 January 1941, Page 41

MEET THE COMMANDANT

HE other day I was out driving with a woman friend. Along a stretch of open road the car spluttered, gave a kick or two, then relapsed sulkily into silence. In a second the driver was out, toyed with mysterious gadgets inside the’ bonnet, and the trouble was righted. "How did you do it?" I asked. "I didn’t know women were mechanics." "We're not, as a rule," she said. "I can thank the Red Cross Women’s Transport Service for the knowledge I have of cars." That was the beginning of the story. Interest led me to inquire about this Transport Service-and the woman who first started it 14 months ago- Mrs. Vera Hole. The next step, of course, was to seek out Mrs.-Hole and hear her story, for every woman has a story if only she will tell it. Mrs. Hole is English; a small, vivid, alert woman with energy radiating from her fingertips. It took some coaxing to make her talk of herself-war work was the thing that mattered. But when she made casual mention of ambulance driving in France and England during the last war I begged for that story. She gave me a picture of a small girl living in a country home in the South of England. With her brothers she was passionately interested in mechanics, and ‘most of her time was spent with them, tinkering about in their own private workshop. All their savings went in buying up dilapidated old motor cycles on which they raced about the countryside. " Most Improper " "In those days," she said, "it would have been considered most improper for a girl to indulge in such a sport, so I was obliged to take my rides secretlyin unfrequented lanes — and mostly at night." Later her zeal for motors took her to Brooklands where she did some unofficial racing. Then the war broke out, and with a group. of 12 others she joined the Blue Cross. To-day they would be termed Land Girls, for they raised funds by gardening, hay-making, and other agricultural activities. It was inevitable, however, that this young motoring enthusiast should turn to her real interest. She offered herself as an ambulance driver, and was sent to Etaples in France. There, driving an old converted ambulance, she did transport work, carrying troops and stores. On her first leave home, she was transferred to the Army Service Corps as ambulance driver attached to the New Zealand hospitals at Walton-on-Thames

and Oaklands Park. This latter hospital was reserved for limbless men. She stayed there till 1919, when she was demobilised. A trip followed which eventually led her to New Zealand, where she was to marry and make her home. Offered Her Services When this war started Mrs. Hole’s thoughts turned immediately to her old work. She offered her services to the Red Cross for organising a transport service,

and the offer was gratefully accepted. Mrs. Hole was elected as Commandant, with Mrs. M. Bunny as AssistantCommandant, and a working committee was soon: formed. That was 14 months ago, and in that short period the Transport Service has got well into its stride, and is forging ahead. "Tt hasn’t all been easy," said the petite Commandant. "Nothing is easy when you are first starting off, but they are such a grand lot of girls-so keen and enthusiastic in their work-so willing to help-that we overcame all our initial difficulties. We take a pride in paying our way. Practically all our petrol is purchased individually, and the members supply their own uniforms and share expenses of the organisation." It is a condition, the Commandant told me, that every member should be.a car owner, or, at least, have access to a car. In emergency there is no time to look round for spare cars. They must be ready on the spot. "Do you think women make good mechanics?" I asked, ia

"Some Are Born" "Some are born to it," she said. "To others it does not come so easily, but their keenness soon sets them on their way. Our girls are instructed principally in how to meet road trouble and. to understand running repairs. Ours is_a ‘Get You Home’ policy. In addition, we study first aid, stretcher work, towing, mechanical and foot drill. In this we are trained by members of the Military Forces under army regulations. Then we have ten motor instructors, all well known Wellington men, who give their services voluntarily. Our examinations are practical and theoretical, and our papers are set and corrected by the Institute of Automotive Engineers." "Do you teach your members to drive?" "No-everyone who joins up must be a driver, but we have tests for classification of drivers. That is necessary to grade them satisfactorily." She smiled suddenly. . "You .would have been amused if you had seen the vehicle we had for our last test. A great, antique, square-topped bus, that sounded like an earthquake on the run. It was wonderful to see how the girls handled it. It was a strenuous driving test." This Transport Service does not con- fine its activities to Wellington. Wherever there is a Red Cross Centre the Motor Girls are to be found. After the War "Tt is our intention," said the Commandant, "to carry on our Service after the war is over. Its purpose then will be to meet any state of emergency-earth-quake, epidemic, or whatever it may be." "At the present time we have about 170 members in our Wellington branch. Our work with the Red Cross includes transporting visitors to hospitals and asylums, conveying the blind, and being ready in the event of wounded men returning home." Characteristically, Mrs. Hole takes part in all the activities of her Transport Service--even to sitting for the examinations and taking part in driving tests. "T like it," she said, "it brings me in closer touch with the girls-and it gives me the opportunity of brushing up my knowledge of mechanics. Even 20 years of marriage have not managed to convert me from a motor enthusiast. It was my first love-and it looks like being my last." Her car waited outside, and she slipped into it with the familiarity of long use and affection. She waved a cheery good-bye. A small woman.with a military title and a big job. She has made a success of it-and her eager spirit will carry her on, inspiring those about her to keep in step.