The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-17
Former Waterbury
 Girl Going OUerseas
Miss Ruth Royce Red Cross Recreation Director Served in India, Burma

After two years III 1nulu aS Red Gross recreational director ~ an American hospital, Miss Ruth B. Royce of Washington, D. O., native Waterburian, has returned to this. city for Q visit before ein- barking on another overseas assign. ment.
 Miss Royce, who is remembered by many of her focal friends as ieading lady of e Wllby High school senlor class play, directed many drarnatic skits and radio shows, with conyalesing soldiers as par- ticipants, during her overseas SerV' ice.
 The Ledo road hospital where she served was close to the front.line section and had 5000 beds, Q .por- tion of them set of for Chinese soldiers who were fighting along with the American boys. "NEuch to Do"
 "The men were brought to the hospital directl yfron1 the battle lines, and the hospital staff was kept busy day and night" MISS Royce reports. Sometimes every one had to pitch in and give a hand to ali types of work, there was 50 much to do.
 There were times when she aided the nurses or waited on tables to meet the shortcomings of the mo. ment, the recreational director stated.
 The hospital was Q huge one. floor structure made of basha, ana a hasha hut was set up as e recre- ationai center. There the boys who were able to get around came to sperld their time at craft-work or to plan entertainment for those in the wards.
 we tried to interest tn eboys In things that would take their thouRllts away from their physical condition" the Red Cross worker stated.
 Miss Royce directed numerous dramatic performances which were siven by patients for other patients~ idkewise sine recruited conva!esc- ents for radio programs which were broadcast from station 1o miles away and which were hearu by virtually everyone in the hosp'' tai.
 Original Decorations
 The convalescing soldiers were or0anized in committees to plan ape proprlate parties for each no,leay., 2. with elaborate celebrations neld aV Christmas and East time' Oec0ras lions used for the gala occasionS were made by the boys tnemselves in the little craft shop ana Mss Royce comments that It IS alinosc unbelievable to see what can pe done with n bit o9 bamboo. tea leaves. and pampa grass stalks.
 Chinese patients were unable 70 participate in all of the activities nS the American boys, but they ex. chanaed crafts ideas and. oiten taucht the American boys how 70 make knick -knacks of various kinos. m turn, the Red Gross workeTs tausht some of the Chinese patients how 10 knit stockings and make other articles of clothing, Q deeo for which they repeatedly exs pressed gratefulness, Miss Royce comments. -
 The Red Gross worker, who 70. oeiyed training in Washington ana Cafnp Patrick Henry, Va, sailed tor india on c luxury liner aErIvuse SnLs in Bombay ct Christmas time. 1vas' IF, From there she went py cAttes car 10 Calcutta and then on " Burma. First she served With tnc T3rd Hospital, and then was uans, uiss, ferred to the goth General Hospital
 shs s. returned to this country on labor Day and is now awaiting another overseas assignment. MlaS Royce. who ls the daughter Of Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Royce. former Wa. faFhurV fosidenta. Fesldes at 4o4S North islh atrebs. Arlington, va.