Lady In White
THE Lady In White statue has been moved from outside the Port Office to the Maritime Museum, off the Esplanade. It makes sense. New security regulations made it almost impossible for visitors to go to the site and learn of her remarkable story. Now they will be able to see her at the museum until work on the new North Pier is completed and she will be moved to where she belongs, the spot where Perla Siedle Gibson – a London-trained soprano - sang to hundreds of leaving and returning troopships and naval craft during World War II.
Her new pozzie was celebrated in rousing fashion on Friday evening in a large marquee (fortunately, as it was pouring). Her niece, sculptor Barbara Martin, who did the statue in bronze some years ago, related her aunt's story, the thing punctuated by showbiz personality Caroline Smart in Lady in White garb (her Missions To Seamen canteen uniform during the war and her red hat), singing her songs through the same hand-held megaphone: Pack Up Your Troubles, It's A Long Way To Tipperary, White Cliffs of Dover, Land of Hope and Glory and We'll Meet Again.
The audience joined in enthusiastically. It was a bit like a mini Last Night of the Proms.
It all began when Perla was at the quayside watching a troopship leave. Some Irish soldiers called to her: "Give us a song, ma!" At which she cupped her hands and gave them When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.
Her singing became such a morale-booster (she eventually got a King's Commendation for it) that she was given Top Secret information on the movements of shipping. Her permit described her as a "Dockside Entertainer" - which is open to all kinds of interpretations.
I think all of us there learned a little more about the Lady In White. She lost an eye in an unfortunate gardening accident, three years before she died aged 92. She told her family she loved the navy but imitating Nelson was going too far. Great stuff!
When I was in London in the 1970s I would meet fellows of the older generation who, as soon as they heard I was from Durban, would exclaim "The Lady In White!" They would speak with emotion about the lift she gave them as they departed for the dangers and uncertainties of war. She touched the lives of many thousands.
Stirring stuff. Yet wartime stories summon up reflection on current events. A Russian flotilla steaming through the English Channel (slightly comic because the ancient aircraft carrier was belching black smoke and the ships almost ran out of fuel) throwing their weight around for no clear purpose; Nato placing significant numbers of troops in the Baltic states. War games are a little alarming, especially when one of the players is a gung-ho character who likes riding a horse stripped to the waist.
But chins up! We'll meet again some sunny day …
Halloween
Ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties and things that go bump in the night …
INVESTMENT analyst Dr James Greener remarks in his latest grumpy newsletter that it's very significant that the US presidential election takes place just a few days after Halloween (which is tonight).
"Voters will have some experience of witches, ghouls and pumpkin heads and so will not be totally terrified by the choices that their great nation has awaiting them in the polling booth.
"That iconic image of a mother holding her new-born up at arm's length and saying: "One day you could be president" obviously hasn't worked for years. No sensible family would be proud to see their offspring enter politics and indeed the evidence suggests that few do."
Yes, the Trumpkins – pumpkins carved in the image of one of the candidates – will be out in force tonight.
Meanwhile, reader Beau Lintner sends in a most puzzling little Halloween story.
"Went out last night for Halloween party dressed as a chicken. Met a girl dressed as an egg.
"A lifelong question was answered.
"It was the chicken."
Whatever can he mean?
Tailpiece
TWO monsters are at a Halloween party.
"A girl just rolled her eyes at me."
"Well be a gentleman - roll them back to her."
Last word
Contrary to general belief, I do not believe that friends are necessarily the people you like best, they are merely the people who got there first.
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