SOLDIER’S THANKS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3115, 6 May 1942, Page 5

SOLDIER’S THANKS

PAEROA PATRIOTIC PARCEL WAS PRISONER AT BARDIA “Just a short note thanking you for your patriotic parcel which I received on getting back from Bardia where I was a prisoner of war for five weeks. Everything was in excellent condition and. the whitebait — well whitebait is whitebait —isn’t it,” writes Sgt. B. D. Jurgens to Mrs W. J. Towers of Towers street, Paeroa. The lettei- continues: —

“The fact that our Christmas mail and patriotic parcels were waiting for us in Egypt helped us to keep our chins up while prisoners more than anything else and by now we have certainly made up for lost time in eating anyway. We are on a special diet here and we’re still E.'D. but most of us are back to normal health. “It sure is great to be master of your own destiny again after the Jerries and Ities have been trying to control it. Broadcast Near Bardia “On the way down from Bardia I was very fortunate in being able to broadcast to- New Zealand. It gave me a great kick but believe me it is difficult to say a few words in the mike on the spur of the moment. Anyway I hope the folks at home happened to be listening in when it was rebroadcast.

“In closing, thank you again and keep up the good work which you and many others are doing as it., is appreciated this end and I hope is isn’t long before we are back turning our energies to better things. ' “I have just found where this Paeroa place is. I am from Taihape myself,” the letter concludes.