LIEUT.-COL. FREYBERG, V.C.

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 150, 25 June 1921, Page 6

LIEUT.-COL. FREYBERG, V.C.

CIVIC RECEPTION DECLINED.

The Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P.) this week sent a telegram to LieutenantColonel B. C. Freyberg, V.C., D.5.0., C4renadier Guards, who. arrived in Wellington from London last Sunday, stating that he would be. pleased; to accord him a civic reception. Mr. Wright intimated that he trusted Lieutenant-Colonel Freyberg's health was improved, and asked what time would be suitable for the reception. ■ '

In reply, Lieutenant-Colonel Freyberg has written as follows :. "Dear Mr. Mayor,-—Thank you ever. so much for your kind telegram of; welcome and for the honour you have done me by offering a civic reception. I do appreciate it, but at the same time I am reluctantly forced to decline because I .have been suffering from a leg wound for the last year, and no doubt you will readily understand my present state of health demands a complete rest. It has been a great joy to me to come home even for so short "a time to see my friends. About thel future, I leave in a few weeks for England to take up ir.y duties in London. Leave-taking is always a sad business, but doubly so in my case,'because I leave behind me all the playing fields and friends of my boyhood. I am greatly touched by all the kindness I have received while here in Wellington, and the gratitude I owe comes from the bottom of my heart. —Yours sincerely, Bernard Freyberg." ,