The Leader Newspaper // Special Features ANZAC Day 2019 Supplement | Page 7

COMMEMORATING ANZAC
Proud to represent her country
For Sally it taught her discipline and she was
proud to be a WRN.
She does admit though it took a long time for
her to understand that no matter what side people
were fighting on, they could be friends.
“You have got to forgive them... for the bombings
and the Brits bombing Berlin... they were all terrible
things that happened but that’s what they were
trained to do,” said Sally.
While she has many memories of her time in
the service, Sally recalls a training exercise which
tested her ability in water.
With a life jacket on, Sally got into a helicopter
and was taken off as part of a training exercise.
With no idea what was going to happen, she
and a fellow woman were “dropped” into the sea
to be rescued.
Fully dressed and unable to swim, Sally recalls
how cold it was in the Cornwall water.
“They did rescue us... it encouraged me to learn
how to swim and I have been trying ever since,”
said Sally.
While she tells that story lightheartedly, Sally
also recalls the time she and some fellow women
returned to the barracks after curfew.
They had to face the captain at 0730 hours
the next morning and she admits she was
shaking.
“One of the sailors was also in trouble and he
asked “What are you so nervous about?” said Sally.
“He told me to imagine the captain on the toilet
seat... to help rid the fear!”
With a week of punishment, Sally embarked on
peeling a bag of onions at 5 a.m. in the freezing
cold kitchen and today there’s no hesitation to
peel an onion.
As a service woman, Sally has many fond
memories and has since become a member of
the Adelaide WRNS.
It has enabled her to form great friendships and
share time with others who have served.
“We meet four times a year in Adelaide and have
lunches five times a year,” said Sally.
“I was proud to wear a uniform and represent
the country and carry on a tradition in the
family.
“If my parents, grandparents and great-
grandparents came back they would be proud too.”
Now calling Nuriootpa home with partner,
Philip Farmer, Sally applauded the fact being in
the services can be a career path for women, even
after being married and having children.
“The only regret I have is not staying in,” said
Sally.
“I shouldn’t have let my heart rule my head.
Post war, the pressure was on for young women
to have children... it was a whole different time to
rebuild the nation.
“But I feel very fortunate to have lived at that
time, weren’t we lucky.”
Sally Rogers at graduation of the Women’s Royal Naval Service. She is pictured in the back row, second from left.
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“The Leader”, Commemorating ANZAC, Wednesday, April 17, 2019 - 7