ONE MAN'S WORK

Evening Star, Issue 25619, 20 October 1945, Page 9

ONE MAN'S WORK

! TOYS FOR BRITISH WAR CHILDREN " UNGLE TO FIVE THOUSAND " A SKIP'S STEWARD'S RECORD A piece of war work that must rank high as an individual effort stands to the credit of a Welsh ship's steward, (popularly known as "Lofty" Evans, who had many friends in New Zealand waters before the war. " Lofty "—socalled from his generous inches—was an enthusiastic member of Toe H, with "which he had joined up in a British port. During his visits to this country on different tramp steamers, it was his habit to look in on the branches of that movement to maintain their interest in seamen and in any work they might be able to do for their entertainment or benefit, and on board ship he was a constant advocate of Toe H. It was understood that he occupied romething like a privileged position with successive skippers, who recognised him as a good influence on any ship where he was employed. The opening of the war saw " Lofty " doing duty on a transport which travelled between Britain nnd the East via South Africa, aud New Zealand ports ceased to receive his visits. The next that was heard of him in these quarters was midway in the present year, when a letter addressed by him to a Dunedin Toe H member told how he had been " trying to help the British Tommies by becoming an uncle to over 5,000 children." The announcement seemed incredible, but it was explained in a manner to move admiration—the last thing that its author sought—as " Lofty " told his story. " It is a very long time," he writes, " since you last saw me. Since then I have seen a lot of queer things and many troubles in this conflict. • 1 am on 'a transport at the present time. I have been on her for four years." Follows the brief statement of the achievement and story of what it meant and how it was accomplished. " I started on this ship in 1941 by a soldier coming up to me and,asking me if I would buy some toys for his kiddies on the return trip from the Middle East." Children's toys, it should be explained, have been very scarce in England. There was no time for making those while munitions were wanted. Millions of poor children in the cities, it may be supposed, like more millions in Europe, hardly knew the meaning of a toy. The letter goes on ■ " When I arrived back at that port from the Middle East that soldier had given nie an idea, so I did not take his money. I made him get me 200 names of other soldiers' kiddies, and then I approached Toe H., Durban, who collected over 250 parcels of sweets and toys. 1 ' posted' every one of these at my own expense. Then I collected names of the children of the men of El Alamein, and scrounged toys for them all over the world. South Africa took my job to heart. They have sent over 3,000 parcels to kiddies, and I have sent ahout the same number, but now the boys on the ship subscribe to the postage. " U.S.A. has been very good, too. I got a lot of toys off them. . . . The Durban 'Evening News 'helped me to get a lot of .toys. Johannesburg, 12 months ago, sent over 600 parcels to the . children of whom I sent the names. . . I got a personal.letter from General Monty himself thanking me for the job I've done.for the boys of the Eighth Army. I have a scrap hook with lots of cuttings from different papers. We had over 900 letters from the kiddies' parents in appreciation of the toys. Last trip we carried South Africans up north. Three of them collected £l2 for the cause, so I was able to buy a lot of sweets. People of South Africa have taken my children to heart, and the 8.8. C. made a wee story about it. So, if you know any newspaper chaps, try to get them interested in my scheme." There speaks the purpose of the letter. " Lofty " had compiled a list of names of children who he hoped might be supplied with toys by New Zealand. The more his work could be extended the more valuable it would be. "If New Zealand does something for those kiddies ijt will foster a strong bond of friendship in the future. . . . The lady editor, Mrs Sandiford- (Durban 'Evening News'), would be glad to hear if New Zealand would like to help Uncle Lofty." Probably the need is as great to-day as it has ever been, and it is learned through the British High Commissioner for New Zealand (Sir Patrick Duff, conveying the result of inquiries made at Home by Sir Harry Batterbee) that parcels 6ent to the following address: Secretary, Mrs Seary-Mercer, Soldiers , Sailors', and Airmen's Families Association, Central Clothing Depot. 53-57 Cndogan Square, London, S.W.l"—will be gratefully received and distributed, though individuals cannot be nominated as recipients. Some New Zealand body —or more than one—that has not been too much disorganised by the war, may wish to take up the work. For one man's effort, achieved in his lowly position. " Lofty "'Evans's record stands surely beyond praise.