Solomon Islands China base ‘disturbing’, says family of WWII hero | ebooktim
: “It begs the question, if we can’t shape an outcome in a nearby small country where we’ve provided stability for decades, where can we?”
Amid allegations of failure of foreign policy, the eve of Anzac Day merits the telling of the achievements of a remarkable woman who was Australia’s only female Coastwatcher during the Second World War. With the outbreak of war in 1939, Vanikoro formed part of a Coastwatching network in the South Pacific. The two boys were sent for schooling in Sydney and the island was evacuated. When the radio operator left, a 50-year-old Mrs Boye took on the role. She and her husband were the only non-Solomon Islanders remaining.
“They [the Royal Australian Navy] thought it was best for me to be in a uniform and the navy appointed me as an honorary third officer in the WRANS [Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service]. It was just in case I was captured because I would be classed as a spy otherwise. It was dropped by parachute and it came down like a big pearl into the sea. They also sent cosmetics. I sent a message back saying, ‘Thanks for the goodies, I am now a raving beauty.
At one point she was taken off the island for treatment for shingles and “four young American fellows” took her place while she was absent for three weeks.Credit:publication, reports: “Such was the appreciation of Ruby’s efforts that Admiral William Halsey [a fleet admiral in the United States Navy] called on her at Vanikoro. He arrived in a flying boat and a small group of officers came ashore to be met by Skov. Halsey introduced himself: ‘Name’s Halsey.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Penny Wong scathes over 'biggest foreign policy blunder since WWII'Penny Wong has called on Scott Morrison to take responsibility for 'Australia’s biggest foreign policy blunder since World War II' as the two major parties continue to trade barbs over Australia's deteriorating China relationship.
Read more »
Pressure mounts on federal government to bring Biloela family home as election loomsA renewed fight to bring the Tamil asylum-seeker family back home to Biloela has begun as the looming federal election brings fears for the future of the Murugappans.
Read more »
Former Australian cricketer Ryan Campbell critically ill, says familyThe former Australian cricketer had been visiting family and friends in Perth and then the UK, and was at a playground with his two children when he collapsed.
Read more »
'Until we can hold you in heaven': Friends, family remember young mechanics killed on Sunshine CoastFamily and friends remember the two young mechanics who died while working on a broken-down bus on the Sunshine Coast.
Read more »
Megan’s family has a new Anzac Day tradition – but this year there’s heartbreak, tooMany neighbourhoods are planning to host a driveway dawn service for the third time this year with the pandemic-inspired tradition looking set to endure.
Read more »