THE KING'S KINDNESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15748, 24 October 1914, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE KING'S KINDNESS.

IALK WITH GERMAN WOUNDED.

There was a charming personal touch in ..lie King's talk with wounded Germans at Netley Hospital. He had set out to visit our own wounded in Netley Hospital. The Royal train reached Netley just before two in the* afternoon, and in the ordinary course of events it would nave proceeded direct to the private station erected for the reception of patients at the rear of the hospital. On this occasion, however, the station was occupied by an ambulance trian, which had brought a number of wounded German soldiers from Southampton Docks, where they had been landed in the morning. When it was seen that the Royal train would be delayed owing to the fact that there was only a single line of track to uit hospital, the officials became somewhat worried, and there were hurried explanations. On His Majesty being informed of the ca.use of the delay, however, he at once gave instructions that under no consideration was the. removal of the wounded Germans to be hurried in order to meet his convenience. The Royal train was, therefore, delayed about, a quarter of an hour, whilst the Medical Corps completed their task. The King, who was accompanied by the Queen and Princess Mary, made an extensive tour of the hospital, not only visiting the wounded, but also the sick srldiers who had been obliged to come nome irom the front. There was a, kind word and a. smile [or a!! of thein. Afterwards Their .Majesties requested to be taken to that part of the hospital where the wounded Germans were placed, and he spent some time in passing from ueo" to bed. He conversed with them in thc;r own language, but one of the German officers, who spoke English very well, replied to His Majesty in the English tongue, and thatked him for the kind words he had i spoken to his fellow-countrymen. "We will not forget your kindness." he said, I as the King bade them farewell.