During our ANZAC service I had the pleasure of talking to a very interesting lady. Mrs Kathleen Clift (often called the ‘Mary Poppins’ of Maddington because she rode her bike with an umbrella up around the local streets), captivated me with her army stories. Kate is a very spritely 81 year old with a keen sense of humour.
She joined the Australian Woman’s Army Service in 1941 by putting her age up to eighteen. The first three months were spent with the officers as a Batwoman (general “gofer” and driver of officers) and then went to Rottnest to work in the 66 Battery where she operated the search lights and guns, followed by working at Ordinance in Midland. Her initials and Army number (WF 3057) were engraved in the various areas she worked in. Rottnest was nicknamed Alcatraz during war times so I imagine many interesting experiences were had by all.
Private Kathleen Bradley, as she was known in the 1940’s was very excited to visit our Lone Pine Tree and understood the signifance of the seed which came from a pine tree in Gallipoli.
Kathleen and other “army girls” meet each December for a reunion lunch, one of the “girls” is now a centurion.
Some of the readers of this site may be aware that I am a Dockers fan. As a result, I have interesting conversations with community members about the benefits of that decision. Last Friday I was chatting to Jeremy, who is in Year 7 and of course there was some friendly bantering happening. The end result was I got to wear his Brisbane scarf if Fremantle lost and he would wear my Dockers scarf if we won. Monday is upon me and I am breathing a sigh of relief because he left his scarf behind. No doubt I will have to pay my dues on Tuesday.