Y.M.C.A.'S LATEST SERVICE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10105, 12 October 1917, Page 5

Y.M.C.A.'S LATEST SERVICE.

FOR THE WALKING WOUNDED. Mr Oliver McDowell was able to tell n. thrilling talc of tlio Y.M.O.A.'s lftest privilege in service—work for tho walking wounded at the battlo of Messmes. This was undertaken at the direct request of tho military authorities, and the Y.M.C.A. staff were jailed into preliminary consultation with tlio Army Medical Staff a week before the great assault was made, given their positions, and shown what tracks'had been arranged for tho wounded—a ni].:»ine token of trust and appreciation wl:en thus bestowed upon civilians. Thirtyfour posts were arranged between the firing lino and the aid posts, so that no wounded soldier able to walk back to tho casualty clearing stations shcrltl be without a drink, a cigarette, and the little nourishing food at whatever pant lie happened to need it. Mr, McCowen describes very graphically the sight presented by the men as they came with bandaged heads or limbs, sonic sc-rcely able to get along at .all,..some helping others, to tlio various centres tot up for thoni, and there received not only the kindly physical ministrations of outworkers, "but the cheery word and the friendly inquiry as to whether the Y.M.O.A. could send news qt them home to their people. .Opportunities for this last service were, of course, constant and the men showed warm patitudo for tho thoughtfulness that prompted relief not only of their <wn pain and weariness, but of .their homefolks' anxiety as to .whether : hey had come through the battle alive. At ono point, the Adjutant-General, coming to a casualty clearing strtion and finding our men at work there, summoned them and said: "I have been all along the line to-day, and everywhere I bave found your people rendering exactly the same service, I want to tell you fellows bow wo -ipprjciate it all."' This was. thanks from the other end, and. as Mr McCowen remarked, it is probable that we shall be given many opportunities for work of this kind in future.