FIGHTING FRENCH NAVY

Hutt News, Volume 18, Issue 1, 7 June 1944, Page 5

FIGHTING FRENCH NAVY

"PATRIOTIC' SUB-COMMITTEE The usual monthly meeting was held recently in the Wesleyan Hall, Mrs J. W. Andrews presiding. Mention was made of the death of Mrs H. E. Leighton formerly representing St. James' Guild on this committee and of Mrs S. M. Shortt, an energetic knitter. Members stood in silence as an expression of respect and sympathy. The loss of these two valuable helpers is keenly felt. It was encouraging to receive recently a letter from Ct. CI. de Lagatinerie, military delegate of the official Welfare organ of Fighting France in London, acknowledging two further consignments of knitted goods. The letter reads: "These articles were most welcome especially the seaboots as our airmen are in great need of them and they are difficult to obtain nowadays. As you win no doubt be aware the number of French Fighting Forces increase each day and accordingly their requirements become more onerous and we are at times put to satisty their demands, our warehouses being sadly depleted. That is why we are so grateful wlitrn our good friends overseas send us parcels, which, we

can assure you are greatly appreciated by our men. Therefore on their behalf we wish to express our sincere thanks for your generous gifts." Other interesting letters, in French and English, lately received by various members from several Fighting French airmen, of the "Cigognes," and "Ile-de-France" squadrons in England, were also read, also one from a Foreign Legionnaire, all expressing their grateful thanks to the senders. One addressed to Mrs H. B. Gordon remarks: "These nice woolstockings will help me in my flying duties, and it is a real relief to see that people so far away are thinking of us, separated from our own families." Another sent to Miss M. E. Smyth says: "I wish to express to you my gratitude and to those who do not despair to see France emerging victorious from the struggle, by the side of her Allies. I am a pilot in a French fighter plane, my parents and my wife are in France, but I am hoping to meet them again very soon. Your present is a great help to me."

It was mentioned that 101b. of khaki wool had been purchased for the convenience of some knitters who find it difficult to work navy blue, and that another parcel containing 37 articles had been sent. Some very handsome garments were handed in for the month, and a donation of £1 from Miss V. Kettle was acknowledged.