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Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 148, 23 May 1928, Page 5

RETURN TO DOMINION

VICTIM OF GREAT WAR. HOME AFTER MANY YEARS. WELLINGTON, May 23. George Thomas McQuay, a New Zealand soldier who had been regarded as a “missing” victim of the Great War for the last ten years or more, arrived in Wellington from Sydney yesterday by. the Maunganiii. Ho was accompanied by his mother, who went from Stratford to Sydney to identify him and bring him home from Callan Park Hospital, and by two attendants from that institution. They were met at the wharf by. Airs G. Mather (sister of George McQuay) and her husband, Mr W. McQuay, of tetratford (his brtolier), and Mrs Moody, of New Plymouth (his aunt). Although. he was on tho top deck of the steamer when it drew in to the wharf he recognised his brother and sister at once and called out greetings to them, tie will undergo special treatment, and it is confidently anticipated that Ids health will, before long, be such as will permit of his removal to his home in Stratford.

Mrs McQuay stated that her son left with the sth New Zealand Reinforcement. “He was then about 25 years of age,” she said. “He is now 38. At present he is suffering from the effects of shell shock and is always complaining of a terrible headache.” The officials of Callan Park, continued Mrs McQuay, had prepared her son to meet her on her arrival there, and each recognised the other instantly. “I had a sore place on my eye while going over oil the boat, and George noticed it at mice, and remarked on the fact,” she said. “I went to see him every day, and although he could not count more than five when I first saw him. he seemed to improve every day, and when we left Sydney he could play quite a good game of euchre, counting the points as well. The doctors in Sydnoy noticed tlie improvement and .are hopeful that he will recover.” “It has been a great joy to have him restored to us, for we counted him as missing. We had no official information concerning him of any kind. One boat stated to be bringing information about him was sunk.”

Airs AlcQuay also said that at times her son appeared quite normal, but would relapse into quiet periods such as had been his condition through the years he had been in the Sydney , hospital. It is hoped that these relapses will ultimately disappear. Airs AlcQuay took the opportunity to thank publicly the New Zealand Government (speciallv . .mentioning Hon. F. J. Rolleston, Alinister of Defence), the Australian Government, and various interested bodies. “I have come back to New Zealand with a very much lighter heart, and with feelings of intense gratitude, to all,” she said. “I feel that it is only a question of time when he will have his mind fully restored.”