Ruth Boye-Jones refused to be evacuated from Vanikoro with the outbreak of war. Instead, she learnt to operate the island’s radio and taught herself Morse code to maintain weather broadcasts used by Allied shipping and aircraft during the war in the Pac...
: “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.
Family remembers trials and tribulations of WWII heroThe Japanese would broadcast on her frequency, “We are coming to get you, Ruby.”
Read more »
'Outstanding courage, selfless devotion': The remarkable tale of WWII nurse Vivian BullwinkelAustralian nurse Vivian Bullwinkel's incredible tale of survival includes being on a ship sunk at sea, washing up on an occupied island, being captured as a prisoner of war and being shot in an attempted execution by machine gun fire.
Read more »
Letters from an Anzac hero: The family connection inspiring Jack RossThe family connection adds a layer to the Anzac Eve clash for Ross on Sunday as he looks to make the most of another chance to build his fledgling career at the Tigers.
Read more »
Barnaby Joyce keeps backing Biloela family as Nationals fight for seatFriends of the Murugappan family say the issue is changing people’s votes in Flynn, where the Nationals are fighting to retain the seat after the retirement of Ken O’Dowd.
Read more »
Senate hopefuls promise a 'shake-up' in fight against family violenceThe Northern Territory's two main senate candidates are both running hard against domestic and family violence, as rates in the NT soar well above the national average.
Read more »