The Vancouver Sun from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • 11

a a It's Soldiers and French Greet Red Cross Group Lt. (RC) Jean Ellis, daughter of Mrs. A. H. MacLachlan of Victoria, and niece of Mrs.

J. R. Reid of this city, writing to her family from Normandy, the letter post marked less than three weeks ago, gives a virid word account of the Channel crossing of the Red group and the landing of the first Canadian General Hospital in France. Following are excerpts from the letters of Lt. Ellis, whose husband, the late Lt.

Henry George Ellis, RCNVR, lost his life in the early part of the war. "This is the most unusual English Channel crossing to to say that we nurses and Red hospital ship in luxury. We had of preparation that we'd cross we've been given beds. "The ship crosses to Normandy empty and brings back a load of wounded to England, so we are unarmed personnel and have the privilege of crossing with her. "We've been told to look happy we go ashore tomorrow ing, as there may be reporters and photographers to publicize the landing of the first Canadian General Hospital in France.

Good old Lucky Seven! We're the envy of all the RCAMC, as A each hospital wanted to be the first. LIKE PLEASURE CRUISE cause they're a GRIM WORK "Tonight hardly seems as there's a war on. The crew is the lower deck drinking beer, playing their guitars and accordians and are taking turns tertaining us. The girls are sing. ing with them and behind us is a setting to make it seem like a pleasure area cruise.

"Just before going aboard, stayed in a camp with English, American and Canadian units and were on those grand American rations. We were also handed our concentrated rations in case of emergency. "Immediately after receiving all the food, the Camp Officer handed us each three heavy paper bags and said: "These are your vomit bags for the crossing!" It almost ruined the day for us! If we had travelled troop carrying craft, we'd cer. tainly need them, but we have REAL bathrooms on board and have each been given a set seasick pills. HEART WARMING WELCOME July landed on the coast of Normandy amid shouts of welcome from hundreds soldiers of all nations and French people.

We were loaded into open trucks and drove through town after town, waving everyone lining the streets. "The crowds shouted, cried, threw flowers and kisses. shook our hands every time we stopped. The soldiers screamed: 'It's And the tears rolled down my face. "The lads have been over here, fighting for every inch, for six weeks, and it did them so much good to see the girls arrivingbecause it made them feel they were making enough progress for us to come over, and also bebit lonesome.

"We landed at a British hospital to spend the night. The next day the casualties were pouring in, so we all rolled up our sleeves and helped. Even 1 (not a nurse) was bathing the patients as soon as they were admitted to the ward, cutting their bloody clothes off them, giving them hot tea and cigarettes. They were all so brave and so grateful that we couldn't do enough for them. "It was terribly grim and sev.

eral times I had to run outside the hot tents, SO I wouldn't be sick-but had to go back each time as the boys needed so much attention. They were suffering but they all smiled, or tried to smile. They were English, Scotch, Irish, Canadian, American, French, Austrian and day in my I'm on ethe 'somewhere in France'. We're allowed Cross girls are travelling on a thought during all these months as the troops did on 'D-Day', but even Germans and all were treated alike. "The awful part is to lie awake at nights and hear a huge battle going on, see the flashes of guns and know that the next day more casualties will pour in.

We admit the patients in the early morning and evacuate them to England the next day or two-and admit new ones again the same day. FIELD FARE "We worked 12. hours a day for three days, with breaks for lunch, tea and dinner. Breakfast if on was beans and sausage and dry biscuits, with a sort of tea that can be called 'fluid It tastes sweet and hot, but enall Noon dinner out of tins and that's all you, can say for it. is almost a sort of stew, with a dessert of fruit steamed pudwe ding, but not bad.

Afternoon tea is one slice of bread, margarine and jam and more 'fluid Evening supper is out of more tins and consists of corned beef or Spam, a bit of cheese, 'hard tack' biscuits and the same tea. "One I was too tired to eat at all, but I'm getting over that nonsense as we mustn't get tired and we must keep well. As a matter of fact I'm really in terribly good condition and can't say when I've felt better. I sleep on quite well and waken only when the gunfire is heavy or during nasty air raid. There's really no sense in getting scared, but it of does take bit of getting used to--but I'm making the grade.

LIFE IN A TENT "Yesterday we moved to our own hospital site. Connie Harof rison and I share a tent. We have to stoop a great deal if we're any walace but in the centre, but that all day on to the wards so that we now da have permanent kinks in our backs. 'Today I walked out of the tent bent over and Connie asked why I didn't straighten up. I roared with laughter and replied I'd forgotten I was out in the open and that I COULD stand up straight.

"We have a lot of fun among ourselves, and now that we're settled we've had hundreds of. They all seem glad to see us Canadians popping, in to visit. over here. We've been on two RCAF parties. "Ross Keene dropped in two days ago.

Fred Cabeldu got a nick between the eyes but will be alright soon. Cyril Wightman was evacuated to England to a hospital. Jack Bryden paid the 1 supreme sacrifice and so it goes. They're all grand lads and I hope this awful slaughter will be over soon. Even the German patients are tired of it all one laddie isn't old enough to shave and he's a patient in the British hospital.

"I'm enclosing some of the "stage" money we use. This is a two-franc note, worth about five cents. It's funny having any money because we're out in the great open spaces and there's no place to it. We even a bottle of beer issued to us once a week. With our rations come seven cigarettes, one chocolate bar and seven boiled sweets each day." -George Wadds Photo REV.

AND MRS. JOHN LEONEL DALTON "BUILD B.C. PAYROLLS" WAITING FOR "FREE" DAYS During the time while Pacific Milk is restricted to infants, invalids and other necessary users in city areas, many old users say they are only waiting the day when they can use it freely again. We just want to say how grateful we are for such friends as these. Pacific Milk Irradiated and Vacuum Packed Betty Moxon Is Bride Of Navy Surgeon Today Whitelaw, Surgeon-Lt.

K. Lemon, Lt. Grant Hooper and Lt. William Taylor. Of classic beauty was the ivory bridal satin gown, styled with full skirt sweeping into a rounded train and molded bodice accented by contrast of a the deeply pointed net yoke, embroidered in seed pearls.

Her exquisite veil of Carrickmacross lace, arranged in Spanish mantilla mode and held by a comb of stephanotis, swept to train length. Gardenias were the flow. Well-known Canadian families were united by the marriage today of Gertrude Elizabeth (Betty), elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B.

O. Moxon, and Surgeon-Lt. William Maxwell Tait, RCNVR, only son of Dr. and Mrs. William D.

Tait of Montreal. Of transDominion interest, it was a naval wedding, solemnized at threethirty o'clock in Canadian Memorial Church, Rev. G. Harrison Villett officiating, with the reception following at the home of the bride's parents, 1320 West Fifteenth Avenue. Miss Dorothy Moxon was hert sister's sole attendant and Sur- Mr.

L. J. Walshe of Esquimalt geon Lt. Murdo McRitchie, arrived in the city today by plane RCNVR, was best man for the from Victoria, and will spend a groom, whose mother came West week as guest of his daughters, for the wedding. Dr.

Tait is a the Misses Gerry and Kay University Walshe and Mrs. Jack Miller, begraduate McGill anad joined the service at the fore continuing flight outbreak of war, serving with katoon to visit another daughter, the Royal Navy for three years Mrs. Pat McGrath of Leask, in the Mediterranean area. and on to Winnipeg to see Fellow naval officers of the his son, Mr. Richard D.

(Dick) of honor Walshe. groom formed a guard and ushered at today's impressive church service. In the latter day, Lodge 8 Glazier, DOE, meeting Please Mongroup were Surgeon-Lt. R. G.

return bazaar work. p.m., at Victory Hall. ers of her bouquet. WATER LILY PINK hat. Have CHARGED Or Use Our Budget Plan Per W.P.T.B.

Electric Seal COATS (Dyed Rabbit). $129 Newest Styles 50 Flank Raccoon Coats Persian Coats $119 Side Opossum $139 (Dropped Paw Skins) Coats $16950 Persian (Fitted and Swagger) Coats $249 Muskrat Flank (Backs) $359 Free Storage Muskrat Coats $395 Until Coats COAT Alaska Lamb Coats Styles Sable $429 Is and Swagger Required Princess ox 782 FURS GRANVILLE ST. Delicate foil to the bridal white was pastel, bridesmaid's boutfant-skirted water lily pink frock of marquisette over self-toned taffeta. Sleeves were bracelet length and the decolletage pointed. Sweetheart roses encrusted Miss Moxon's juliet can and the same flowers were allied with swainsonia for her bouquet.

It was Mr. F. J. Lynn who proposed the bridal toast at the reception. Going costume of today's bride, who is a member of the Vancouver Junior League and attended the University of B.C., where she affiliated with Gamma Phi printed Beta Sorority, is a Liberty.

silk frock topped by a Victory red coat and matching THE VANCOUVER SUN: Aug. 12, 1944 11 Island Interlude By Myrtle Patterson Gregory A week on Vancouver Island by boat to Victoria Empress Hotel -Parliament Buildings- over the Island railway to Duncan, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Qualicum, Courtenay and Comox home by boat via Powell River. Now It's Turkeys Writers in Victoria do the darndest things! Gwen Cash, author of "Why I Like British Columbia" and other published MMS, is now busy concocting mystery tales in the pleasant writing room her husband, Bruce Cash, built her at their home on 'Admirals Road in Esquimalt. With her only son, Jack, grown up, married and away in Vancouver, where he is staff photographer at the Burrard Dry Docks, you would think. Gwen would be as free as the air.

Instead, she and Bruce are raising a big flock of turkeys as a sideline, and either Papa or Mamma has be home most of the time to watch the delicate Bruce spelled Gwen off, how. ever, for four days while, she paid a visit "up-Island" to Mamie Moloney in Oyster River. situated on the highway between Courtenay and Campbell River. Mamie is Magnet Talk about old Press Club Week in Oyster River, or the world "beating a path to one's in the wilderness! No sooner had Gwen left Mamie's for home than this delegation dropped in, after an 18-mile drive. for an hour's visit and "shop talk." And then, while we were having a cup of tea in the living room, which has "a view for miles" isles distant mainland, over a hull beach, sunny who should walk in but Marion Angus, Vancouver press agent the Dressed inevitable in cigarette, Marion was elated over the four fish she had caught that morning at Camp bell River and she plans to go back for hunting in the fall.

Life of Riley Thomas Bembrick of Little River, near Comox, sighs for old peaceful days before RCAF planes flew over his nine-acre estate on the edge of the Gulf of Georgia, near Comox. With its sea wall, its green lawns and woodland trails, its vista of 40 miles of sea and islands, Little River (begun in 1912) is indeed a Shangri-La. Comox and Courtenay are generaily a paradise, especially for men. Dave Sharp would not return to Vancouver for anything. Jack Carthew is perfectly content with the idyll of life on a farm stretching down to the sea, with good neighbors, community work to do and a launch for fishing trips.

Ben Hughes and Tom lead full lives as editors of the two district newspapers, with the outdoor pleasures of millionaires thrown in for almost nothing. Yen for Cities Women like Courtenay and Comox, too, of course, but there's a wistful note as they ask about Vancouver and Victoria, with their shops and hotels and theatres. Jenny Carthew and them hospitable American home, versatile Ruth McIver and her unusual ability for piano music, Irene Sharp and capacity for enjoying a wide variety of people all of them look forward to a week of city pleasure now and then as an antidote to the quiet life. Certain it is that when civilian planes run cheaply between the Comox Valley and the Coast cities, the best customers will be women! Trees No Treat By the way, do you know the kind of entertainment that Island women DON'T like when they come to town? It's being driven around Stanley Park! "Every time my relatives want to give me a good time they drive me around Stanley Park," moaned one woman in Courtenay. "What I want is a dinner in Chinatown a table at that place on Georgia Street where they have a smorgasbord or a night of dancing.

Big trees are no treat to me." Comox Highlights No visit to Comox would be complete without a glimpse of the famous Filberg home and meeting the popular bride, Mary Filberg Whittall, whose recent wedding is still the talk of the Island. We saw her at mass the Sunday we left, wearing a trousseau dress of blue. She and her husband are staying with her parents while waiting to get into their own new home at the end of the summer. Nercher would a visit to Comox be complete without a visit to St. Joseph's Hospital, surrounded by flowers and lawns, with its own private beach.

It was there that I saw three things that I had never seen beforea baby in an incubator, penicillin--the new wonder drug. and one other, which must remain a deep secret! Regina Fellowship Club supper meeting Sunday, 3 p.m., at Stanley Park duck pond, with Rev. Harry Joyce as guest speaker. OPTOMETRIST Airman and Bride Here on Honeymoon Sgt. and Mrs.

Thos. George Allan, who were married in Brownsburg, June 3, have arrived in Vancouver to spend a belated honeymoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Allan, parents of the groom, 2446 West Seventh Ave.

Numerous social gatherings have been arranged before their return Ancienne Lorette, where Sgt. Allan is a wireless 1 instructor. Prior to enlisting in the RCAF in 1941, he was a student at Kisilano High School and after graduating was employed by Gault Bros. for five years. Mrs.

Gordon Abernethy was honoree when Mrs. Harry But ler was hostess at a coffee party today at her Adera Street home. Th I NEW YORK FUR COMPANY LTD Present Their FALL SHOWING of Fine Furs We've searched far and wide for the best fur values, the finest quality, the newest fashions and the fairest prices and we found just the coats that will win approval from women who appreciate the best. We present them to you in our FALL FUR SHOWON GEORGIA AT HOWE ST. ING.

-R. H. Marlow Picture NAVAL WEDDING PRINCIPALS--A reception at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club followed impressive naval wedding in St. Mary's Anglican Church, Friday afternoon, when Helen Louise, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

W. E. Wright, exchanged marriage vows with LT.Cmdr. Herbert Erans McArthur, RCNVR, son of Mrs. McArthur and the late W.

T. McArthur, all of Vancouver. Rt. Rev. Sir Francis Heathcote officiated.

Frank Slide Survivors Three Sisters Meet for First Time in 41 Years Three sisters, survivors April 29, 1903, were together time since the crumbling community and took toll They were the daughters with their four small sons, rock that rolled across two lowing. STAMP DAY Vancouver's Eighth Civic Mrs. Lawrence McPhail of son was the storied "Frank baby" whose feeble cries attracted rescuers so that her two sisters were dug out alive some hours later. She was 18 months old and was found unhurt under the roof of a demolished house that had been thrown up on the top of a pile of debris. Mrs.

Rosemary L. Weeks -of Hamilton, was the next youngest and the next dug out. She was then not yet four. Mrs. Jessie M.

(Wilbur) Bryan of 601 Eute Street eldest, being then 13. The four brothers killed with their parents were between Rosemary and Jessie in age. The three little girls, miraculously safe, were wrapped blankets and taken to a home across the rock filled valley and cared for until relatives arrived. Then they were taken to Cranbrook on a special train carrying survivors and stayed together for a time in the home of an uncle and aunt. After a time they were "adopted" by three separate families of relatives and were never together again until this week in Vancouver.

On Thursday night they celebrated their reunion at a private dinner with a theatre party fol- Stamp Day will be held on Aug. ust 22 and women with two, or more hours to spare are asked to volunteer for stamp selling in one of the 17 suburban shopping areas. A phone call to MA 6185 will provide volunteers with complete information. Lt. F.

R. Abram arrived in the city today to spend leave with his wife and daughter, Joan, who are here from Calgary, guests of Mr. and Mrs. C. A.

Paine. Miss Barbara Hunter, whose marriage to LAC. K. W. Small, RCAF, will take place August 29, will be honoree when Miss Constance Darling entertains informally at dinner this evening.

of the historic Frank Slide disaster of in Vancouver this week the first mountainside buried the little mining of 68 lives, 41 years ago. of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Leitch who, lost their lives under the avalanche of miles of the valley. Moore-Neale Rites Today black opossum jacket.

At 10 o'clock this morning in St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, Rev. Father Smeets celebrated nuptial mass at a double-ring ceremony, uniting Veronica SMarter (Girlie), daughter of Mr. and Mas. Jack Neale, and Fred William (Gex) Moore, son of the late Mr.

and Mrs. Moore, all of this city. A reception followed at Canadian Legion Hall. Lengths of Artician veiling fell from a coif of St. Joseph lilies and misted the bride's gown of jasmine fashioned with an embroidered' girdle, and the neckline enriched by the groom's gift of a gold locket and chain.

Poudre pink and aqua sheer gowns were worn by the attendants, Mrs. Yvette Critchley and Miss Yvonne Neale, twin sisters of the bride, along with Misses Betty Fraser and Joyce Urquhart, whose net gowns were en suite. Their only jewelry ornament was the groom's gift of silver earrings. Pte. C.

P. Brooks supported the groom. For the wedding trip to Seattle, the bride wore a white spun silk dressmaker suit, topped by a black opossum jacket. Mrs. Fred Wallace will entertain at tea Sunday at her Osler Avenue residence.

Guests of honor will be Miss Doreen Ray, bride-elect of Capt. Noel Richardand Miss Margot Holland, visitor from Ottawa. On Sunday morning, Miss Marjorie and Miss Powell will entertain for Miss Ray at a breakfast party. Miss Lois McLean arrived from Winnipeg to visit her mother, Mrs. William McLean, at her home on Thirty-ninth.

Mrs. Robert Elson will enter tain at tea Sunday for Mrs. Charles Bedard, recent bride. To Make Home At Lytton Rev. John Leonel Dalton and his bride, the former Mary Val.

erie Ashten, whose marriage took place here August 2, are at ent on Vancouver Island, but later in the month will be "at home" in Lytton, 3.C. Rev. Canon W. Cooper officiated at nuptial rites in St. James Anglican Church for the daugnter of Mrs.

Mitchell and the late Joseph Mitchell of this city and the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Dalton, also of Vancouver. The bride, gowned in white moire, silk and lace, with talisman roses and white sweat peas in her bouquet, was attended by Mrs. Lorna Lake, wearing rose taffeta with bouquet of pink car.

nations and white sweet peas. Rev. James Dalton was best man for his twin brother, and Messrs. William Allen and Robert Booth ushered. The reception was held in Hotel Georgia's York Room.

PO. AND MRS. ALFRED KNIBB GO EAST Baptist Church was the setting for the wedding August 1 of Geraldine, daughter Mr. and Mrs. E.

Mrs. A. bride G. F. Knibb, with Rev.

A. C. Bingham, officiating. Lloyd and PO. Herbert Alfred Knibb, ROAM, son of Mr.

and The wore a lovely gown of white satin fashioned on princess lines, and her frothing veil was caught by coronet of orange blossoms. She carried red roses, pink carnations surrounding gardenias. Miss J. McRae was bridesmaid in a gown of anure blue with matching Tudor headdress and she carried roses and the carnations. LAC.

Lenord Frances was best man. Following a reception at the 100F Hall the couple left for Victoria, and will later go east where the groom 18 stationed..