Returned Without Thanks

Northern Advocate, 21 August 1944, Page 2

Returned Without Thanks

, To have returned £lO in notes to a soldier who had left the money in the pocket cf his uniform, and then to have difficulty in securing a receipt for the money, with no thanks given, has been the experience of the staff of the Quartermaster at Area 3, Whangarei. When clothing is returned to the Quartermaster's store a search is made through all pockets to remove any matches that might be left in the clothing, this being a necessary precaution in case of the matches igniting and causing a fire. In the- course of this procedure many articles hnv-r come to light, some of no value, but others of substantial value. Did Not Know Of Loss Of £lO In one case two £5 notes were found in the battledress blouse of a soldier returned from the Pacific and this man was contacted, but he was not aware of his loss, although he said that there might have been a 10/note in his uniform. As there was no doubt of the ownership of the money it was forwarded to him, with a receipt form enclosed for his signature. It was only after repeated requests that the receipt form was returned, duly signed, but no word of thanks accompanied the receipt. Thanks In Tangible Form In another case papers of value to the soldier were discovered, these including a cheque book, and on being returned to the owner he expressed his thanks in a tangible form. The sum of £6 in notes was found in the pocket of uniform trousers, but here the owner discovered his loss not long after he had returned the clothing and communicated with the Quartermaster's store. A man proceeding overseas changed his uniform and left his wallet with a sum of money in his old uniform, and this was recovered and returned to him just prior to his departure from New Zealand. Among' the numerous articles that are recovered are pay-books, but these can readily be returned to their owners.

Many a soldier has to thank the Quartermaster’s staff for the return of valuables which would otherwise have been lost to him if it were not for the precautions taken when clothing is returned.