OUR WOUNDED SOLDIERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16912, 19 July 1915, Page 6

OUR WOUNDED SOLDIERS.

THE WILLOCHRA AT I.YTTELTOK

GREAT PUBLIC ENTHUSIASM AT PORT.

Before daybreak on Saturday a few score of folk were hurrying down to the railway station, leaving little black footprints in tho rime that shrouded the pavements, and keeping warm mentally if not physically in the expectation of meeting the returning wounded from the Willochra. But at the station they were cast into a state of perplexity whether to go on or go back. The ticket clerk announced that tho hospital ship had not cleared the Wellington Heads until 1.20 a.m., and was not expected until the afternoon. But a number of tho more convalescent men had come on by the Wahinc, and the fact induced everybody to go on to Lyttelton by the first train. The ferry train came through- to Christchurch, however, almost before the outward-bound friends were able to alight in Lyttelton, and there were no early reunions at the port. Greetings had to bo reserved for Christchurch after tho next train had come back from Lyttelton. THE EARLY ARRIVALS.

and they obeyed. Then there cam* a call for cheers, and it was lustily responded to. with a special cheer for 1 tho nurses. Tho men bore it well, buti they were eager to go ashore. Theui dunnago began to niak? its appeaj-ancu in big bundles behind them nnd preparations went forward to bring the stretcher cases on deck.; STRETCHERS COME ASHORE.

And this lccalled the fact that the Red Cross tram had drawn alongside tho ship, with a special carriage for the stretcher case*, and an adequate staff of The interior of this carriage was nicely fitted. On either side wero beds for ten wounded. Thero was a small lavatory, a gas geyser and many conveniences. The woodwork was painted white, and altogether it presented a clean and attractive appearance. The bearers filed aboard, and presently emerged with a tragic bundle of blankets and bandages. From the wreckage a foot protruded. It was a, case of shrapnel in tho ankle, and rumour credited the caso with half a dozen operations. A lean arm pulled the bedclothes tighter as the cold air of 'the deck was reached. A nurse bent most cautiously over the soldier . and! tucked him in at the shoulder. Up came tho stretcher gently, and moved off to the gangway, where seasoned hands let it more gently down step by step. " Threo cheers for the heroes/'

The war-scarred men were easily identified among the sprucer Trentharn tvpes. Here and there a khaki helmet left no doabt as to the trooper s experience, and the general cut of the uniform was distinctive and apparently a shade lighter in texture than the local article. The men were very likelv stepping out into a frosty atmosphere lor the first time in many months. How extreme the change must have been for them from the equatorial heat could be only conjectured. The earlv arrivals did not show anv outward signs of their bathes with the Unspeakable Turk, but they were a bit worn and not at all sorry to be home. Reporters they looked on with a friendly eye. fortunately, nnd it was a pleasure and privilege to go among them, pass the journalistic Open Sesame/' and then hear tho various points upon which this or that soldier had been most forcibly impressed Iney were all young men, and so far as could be seen war had not left them physical wrecks. ■ WAITING FOR THE MAIN BODY.

There was a lusty respouse. Then another wounded man, With his arms round his comrades, came gingerly down the ladder. Another!" stretcher appeared above.

A lane <was cleared to the Red Cross train, and along it passed tho stretchers. A kindly thought ha<l brought two ladies to tho scene with a profusion of spring flowers. A simple bloom of jonquils was laid on each stretcher as it passed, and the happy warrior smiled his acknowledgment.

Tho nurses were almost, distressed! to lose sight of their charges. One bent low to a stretcher to whisper ai word in" tho soldier's ear. She was within dangerous range of his lips. "You might as well have done it." said he, and his mates joined in tho chorus. ;

The delav occasioned in Wellington by the signing on of a new crew tor the Willochra upset the. arrangements for the reception of the men at Chnstchurch, and when it was known Uiat the vessel would not berth before i 3.30 p.m. the Mayor cancelled the Christchurch programme, and decided to join in the Lvttelton welcome. The afternoon trains to Port were crowded with sightseers and relatives, and there must have, been a large percentage of those who had boys still at the front and wanted to see what their returning comrades looked like. The wharf at Lyttelton was not barricaded, and a dense crowd gathered on it, watching for the first glimpse of the hospital ship. ARRIVAL OF THE WILLOCHRA. The Willochra's great bulk did not come into view until after 3.30 p.m. The vessel came up the harbour very slowly, tendered by the tug. As she pushed her nose- athwart the moles a big steam whistle from the Athenic hooted a welcome, and tho chorus was taken up by her sister linors, the Cdrinthio and Delphic, and half a score of other vessels, the Palooua adding her siren. The big vessel was now lying right in the entrance, her upper deck fringed with khaki figures, with here and there a white sling, a pair of crutches or some other eloquent testimony to the Gallipoli campaign. Further* along a few Florence Nightingales were discerned, wearing a most attractive white hood and red capes, and looking uncommonly sweet. While tho steam whistles held sway it was impossible to speak and be heard. The vessel slewed slowly till her stern was in line with No. 3 wharf, and then Captain Neville slipped her alongside, and tho gangway hovered in mid-air over a little gold-braided and top-hatted crowd of officials.

" I do hope you will get well." she said feivently.

After the stretchers camo a number o c thos"> who were able to walk. Ono n.an, with a stick and a bandaged foot, hopped his way down and was rewarded with a spontaneous cheer. Tho nurses shook hands with each at tho t >-.-> of the gangway. On the train the men were joined by their friends at last, cornered among tho ladies, and f*t to telling their adventures to an uusatisfiable coterie. It was nob long before the train slipped out of tho station, cheered orj its departure and cheered as it sped tbrouo;h each station on the run +< the citv.

THE ROLL CALL. The men> who came ashore wero aa follows:

" Walking " Cases. Lieutenant N. M. Weir, 6-73, Private Ibherwood, Christ church. 6-3, Private R. B. Adcock, Christehurch.

6-968, Private T. E. Madden, Christchurch.

6-182, Private W. T. Young, Christchurch.

7-373, Trooper T. D. Matson, Christchurch. 6-593, Private E. E. Dudßeld, Christchurch. 6-1757, Private A. E. White, Chnstchurch.

6-800, Private A. J. Nortbcott, Christchurch. 6-22, Private A. E. Chapman, Christchurch.

6-1 fi93. Corporal Pickoring. Christchurch ( Sanatorium). 6-583," Private A. C. Armstrong, Grevmouth.

6-036, Private E. A. Wheeler. Greynouth.

10-1307. Private F.' O'Connor, Ashburton . 7-848. Private G. Gongh, Tinmru. 6-501, La ice-Corporal J. Menzies, Timaru. " Stretcher " Cases. 6-1563, Private G. Herbert, Christchurch. 6-740, Priv'.itc Willi. 9. Christchurch. 6-813, S<»rgean,fc-Major J- Keen., Timaru. ' -, AT THE STATION. Once the Christchurch station was reached there was no delay. A large, ciowd waited to welcome the men. but ambulance waggons, drawn up alongside t'i3 south platform,- showed the serious side of the business. On tho steps of the overhead bridge two excited Maori dames shouted a cry of welcome, and it was not long before the returned men were among friends and taking cab or car for horn*.

But not before a. groat burst of cheering had broken from the dense crowd. There were hearty cheers, for tho soldiors and for the nurses. Tho scene was one that had not been paralleled in Lyttelton. Tho men on the rail did not represent the whole human freight of tho ship. In the hospitals were a number of emaciated figures that were too ill to join in the rejoicings, but an echo of tho good will reached them from outside. THE HAPPY WARRIORS.

It waa a timo to wifch for the gift of deseriptvo expression. The ship, tho Christchurch men at attention along the promenade deck, all with an expectant and hopeful look, the other men who loungpd about and chatted to nurses, bound for a southern destination, all met the eye of the small crowd of official speech makers who gained access to the ship. There were wan faces, thin face 3 and happy faces, but it must be said to the credit of Canterbury that they were handsome faces, and some of them undeniably so, framed in the big pith helmets of their campaigning days. An officer passed along to take a brief roll call. The men stood easy, one on crutches, others with sticks, some with slings. The business in hand' was an official welcome. The deck was cleared in front of tho men. THE WELCOME.

"Well, boys, I won't keep you one minute," was Colonel Chaifey's welcome. He made a request that when they heard the call for three cheers they would kindly present themselves at tho rail so that the public could see them.

Mr 31. J. Miller, chairman of the Harbour Board, tlianked the men for the manner in which they had upheld the honour of the Empire. What they had done should be an inspiration to every able-bodied' 'man, and he hoped that" they would soon be restored to health, and that a speedy success and honourable victory would rest with Britain and her Allies. Mr W. Radcliffe. Mayor, of Lyttelton. Mr H. Holland. Mavor of Christchurch, and Mr J. J. Dougall, president of the Navy League, also addressed the men, complimenting them on the fact that they had' done the impossible, and had not failed in redeeming their pledge to do their utmost for the Empire. The men. were ordered to the rail,