ON WAY TO ENGLAND

Hutt News, Volume 19, Issue 12, 22 August 1945, Page 4

ON WAY TO ENGLAND

BLINDED SERVICEMAN OVERCOMING HANDICAP Blinded and seriously wounded in the battle for Cassino, Lieutenant Alan John Somervell, of Auckland, is now on his way to England to study massage and physiotherapy at . St. Dunstan's Home for Blinded Servicemen. Ho should have few financial worries, for lie has been awarded an overseas rehabilitation bursary for two years at the rate of £250 sterling a year. On top of that he received a special disability pension which, will never be affected by his earnings. Ho is being- accompanied bv his wife aiul six-year-old child, undHheir fares • to and from England are also being paid by the Rehabilitation Board; While at sea Lieutenant Somervell will also receive a special allowance for small incidentals. He will, of course be allowed extra pension benefits tor his wife and child. Before the war Lieutenant Somervell was an oliicer of the Bank of New Zealand. He had gained part of his (banking diploma and was well on the way towards a sticcess--1 ful banking career. He was also well-known as a good athlete, being an amateur swimming champion, a weight-lifting champion, an amateur wrestler and boxer of some standing and a gymnastic instructor in his spare time for the Y.M.C.A. When war broke out, lie offered his services right away, and entered camp in September, 1939. He was, however, retained as an anti-air-craft gunner instructor, but was able to get away to the Pacific zone for seven months. Due to receive his captaincy, he resigned his commission and sailed to the Middle East in time to take part in the Italian campaign. On the day he was wounded word came through that he had been recommissioned in the field but because of the serious nature of his wounds he returned to NewZealand with the rank he then held, that of sergeant. He had since been given an honorary commission to help him in his travels and studies. The miracle'of plastic surgery has given Lieut. Somervell new life to replace the natural despair caused by the wounds he received when a 25-pounder shell burst prematurely. Greatest injury was done to his face while his jaw was shattered, his eardrums damaged and he was almost totally blind. The surgical treatment was given at Burwood Hospital, Christchurch. Lieut. Somervell has, besides benefiting from this treatment, since recovered his hearing. He is, however, still industrial ly blind, but has shown tenacity and cheerfulness in overcoming his handicap. Studying at Fairview Home for the Blind at Auckland he made remarkable progress in Braille reading and touch typing, while he has been learning various crafts at tuc Disabled Servicemen's Re-establish-ment League centre at Auckland. The Massage School at St." Dunstan's to which he is on his way, is associated with the National Institute for tiie ■■Bljnd, and a special home has been.set up about 20 miles from London. On his return to New Zealand Lieut. Somervell will probably be employed at one of the public hospitals; he may, of course, ■ decide to set up in private practice. Whatever the case, his rehabilitation problem—one of the most grave that anyone could contemplate—is being solved, largely through, liis own de- ■ termination to make a success of his life in spite of his serious disability.