AMERICAN CHAPLAIN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 126, 30 May 1944, Page 3

AMERICAN CHAPLAIN

PRESENTATION AT ELLERSLIE

As a mark of appreciation of his services and kindness to the patients, a presentation was made to Commander E. L. Pennington, chaplain of the United States Navy, at the National Patriotic Hut at the Ellerslie Military Hospital. No American servicemen have been at the hospital for some time, but Commander Pennington has for the past 12 months continued to conduct all the church services at the hospital on Sunday for the New Zealand patients. A leather attache case, made by the occupational section of the therapy department of the hospital, was presented by Sister Hutton, sister in charge of the hospital, on behalf of all the patients. She told how, in addition to his services, Commander Pennington had cheered the patients with "community sings" and performed many individual kindnesses to them. The deputy-medical superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, Dr. C. B. GiJberd, and Dr. Frederick Smale, senior medical officer at Ellerslie, also praised the chaplain's efforts. Appreciation of the kindness shown to American patients by the New Zealand people was expressed by Captain O'Connell, representing the American ex-patients. The evening concluded with a musical programme.