BACK FROM THE WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16763, 1 February 1918, Page 6

BACK FROM THE WAR.

SICK AND WOUNDED MEN;

CONTINGENT TOTALS 406.

TWENTY-EIGHT COT CASES.

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND. A 'contingent of 406 sick and wounded members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, comprising 16 officers, one nurse and 389 non-commissioned officers and men, arrived in Auckland yesterday: One officer and two men—Lieutenant P. R. M. Hanna and Privates H. Deavey and A. Robbie— the Imperial Forces, also returned. The trip to the Dominion was made in glorious weather, with the result that the health of nil the men was considerably improved. Colonel Tracy Inglis, N.Z.M.0., of Auckland, was the officer commanding, and Captain T. W. Maben, N.Z.M.Q, of Timaru, was adjutant. The medical officers on duty were :—Major E. E. Porritt, of Wellington, and Captains W. Fairclough, of Auckland, J. Reid, of Gisborne, and G. Crawshaw, of Kaiapoi. The matron was Miss I. Grant, of Port Chalmers. Captain A. Allison, of Christchurch, was the dental officer.

Many of the men were invalided homo as the result of wounds sustained at the battles of the Somme and Messincs, but a large percentage were put out of action in thd memorable attack on Passahcndacle Ridge on October 12, 1917. In referring to ihe last-named battle, the men speak of a movement against a ridge bristling with strong and reduced posts, while many of the houses in Passchendaele village sheltered innumerable machine-guns. They tell of an attack launched over a ground which was a quagmire, of how men were bogged and mown down before they could advance a dozen yards, and of a determined effort against "pillboxes," strongly defended by machine-gunners, and entrenched behind uncut wires. They apeak of countless sorely-wounded men lying on a sodden battlefield for two days, and of how by a surgical miracle they were saved. Condition o! the Men.

A large proportion bear traces of severe campaigning. About 100 sustained severe leg and arm wounds, about 20 having each lost the use of one limb. There were 'no cases of total blindness, but 10 men had each lost the sight of one eye. Of the rest, a large number had sustained body wounds, while of those invalided through, various kinds of sickness, pulmonary cases, of which there were about 40, bulked the largest. Commenting on what ho termed the inestimable value of the sea voyage, and the attention bestowed on the patients, the adjutant remarked that when the drait left England there were 225 cot cases, a total which had been reduced to 28 when it arrived at Auckland. The majority of the men speak in excellent terms of the attention they received from those responsible for their care on the voyage. At all port* of call the troops were lavishly entertained by the local residents, the goodness of whom tho men never refrain from extolling.

Two Deaths at Sea. Two deaths occurred at sea, thus marring what would . otherwise have been a record trip. Lieutenant H. Simson, of the R.P.C., died on January 11. He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Hector N. Simson, formerly of Auckland, and now of Hawke's Bay. Lieutenant Simson was in England when war broke out. and volunteered for the Royal Flying Corps, in which he gained his wings ax a lieu--1 tenant pilot in 1918. Subsequently he ' was stationed on the east coast of Eng- : land, and took part in repelling several Zeppelin raids. Last year, while engaged 1 in night patrol work in search of hostile aircraft, ne contracted. a heavy chill, which developed into acute pneumonia.; Lieutenant Simson was a brother of Captain Ronald Simson, who was severely wounded, at Qallipoli, while three other brothers are also fighting at the front. The second death, that of Private E. Martin, of Temuka, occurred yesterday morning. He was also invalided through sickness. _ The remains of both soldiers were buried at sea.

Welcomed on Arrival. Sir Joseph Ward, Minister for Finance and Postmaster-General and General G. F. .S. Henderson, Director-General of Medical Services, paid an informal visit to the men, and cordially welcomed them back. . Upon arrival, the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, on behalf of. the citizens of the Dominion, extended the troops a hearty welcome home. He referred in appreciative terms to their work on behalf of the Empire, and wished them a epeedy return to health. The Ministering Committee of the Auckland Women's Patriotic Association handed round refreshments, after, which the Auckland quota were conveyed to their homes by a volunteer motor corps.

The names of the Auckland soldiers, together with the names and addresses of their next of kin, are :—

Dobson, Donald (Major), Military Cross—C. Meares. Christohurch. Luiford, John H. (Major)— L. D. Luxford, Te Awamutu. _ Walker, Alan I. (Major)— C. Walker, Victoria Avenue, Remuera. Lewis, Griffith (Capt.)—E. Lewis. Hope. Pile. Philip, (Cant.)— Mrs. W. Dyer, England. Roche, Francis A. (Capt.)—Mrs. L. A. flocho, Christchurch. Benior. Charles H. A, (Capt.), Military Cross, —C. A. Senior. Groy St. W., Qnehunga, Connor, William W. (Lieut.)— E. Connor, Dunedin. MoGlashan, Ralph (Lieut.)—J. McGlashan, Motueka. • Stratford, Herbert A. (Lieut.)-Mrs. E. Stratford, Blenheim. Cooper, Leonard F. (2nd Lieut,)— E. Cooper, Wellington*Glaiebrook, Howard M. (2nd Lieut,)— J. H. Ghuebrook, .Ciive, H.B. Omar, Frederick W. (2nd Lieut.)— M. Gruar, Hamilton. *> Parkinson, Harold H. (3nd Lieut.)— R. Parkinson, Wellington. Stratford. Henry E. (2nd Lieut.)-E. H. Stratford, Marlborough. Tisdall, Leslie F. (2nd Lieut.J-W. H. Tisdall, Christohurch. „. Reynolds, Phoebe M. (Sister)— E. E. Reynolds, Wellington. Aimer, Kenneth W. (Cpl.J-Mrs, R. W. Aimer, 63, St. Stephen's Avenue, Archibald. Thomas K.—Mrs. R. Archibald, Edendale Road. Kingsland. Atama, Wiremu—Turoa Boera, Thames. Barkloy. Hcginald-J. Berkley, Hamilton. Beaumant, Harle M.—Mrs. D. alaraetts. Auckland. Bell. John G.— J. G. Bell, Ponsonby, Bell. William—Mrs. A. B. Clerk, Remuera. Bennett. Colet S.— Bennett, Ruapuna. Bisman, Win. R.-C. H. Bißman. Te KuUi. Blair, Wm. A.-R. Blair, Mount Eden. Blow, Sydney Mrs. E. Blow. Mount Eden. Blythe, Henry R.—E, Blythe, Kiverhead. Sonar, Horatius E.—L. Bonar, Koeterangi. Bond, Henry—W. Bond. Devonport. Brockelsby, J<is. R— R. Brockelsby, Hinuera. Brown, John H.—Miss S. Brown, Darffavillc. Brown, Jas. A. (Sat.)—Jas, Brown, Waianawa Buswell. Harry—Mra. E. Buswcll. Ponsonby. Ca'.tcheon, Robt. H,—Mrs. C. Caitohoon, Grey Lynn. Cameron, Duncan— Mrs. Cameron, Ponsonby. Canavan, 'John— Mrs. M. Taylor, 1, Claremont Street. Carley. Joseph V,— M. A. Carley, Morrinsville. Carmichuel, Allen J.—A. H. Carmichael, Oharau. Carter. Harold W. (Sgt.)-F. R. Carter, Otorohanga. Casey, liichnrd J. (Cpl.l— E. Casey, 16, Campbell Road, Grey Lynn. Clarke, Harry P.-Mrs. F, Clarke, Hamilton. Clemdon, Henry P. (Set.)—K. Clemdon Rawhiti. Climo, William R. J.-R. Climo, Rata, Clothier, Ira D.-O. F. Clothier, Hamilton. Coombe. Harry— Mrs. H. Coombe, Wuirio Craig, Hugh-Mary Craig. Waitahuna. Dean, Walter-Mrs. M Stephenson, Roseberry Avenue, Birkdale. Donaldson, Robert Mcl.-A. J. Donaldson, Ohsupo, Dunatan, Douglas Mrs. E. Dunstan, 46, Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn. Eade, Steven D.-Mrs. E. Vallaly, Liverpool Street, Epsom. Elliott, Walter L.-A, Elliott, Pspakura. Ellis, Joseph-A. L, Ellis, Birkdale, Fenton. Henry R.—W. Fonton, Opotiki. Fiorl, Victor—D. Fiori, Ohakune. Fnote,- Wm—T. Foote, 82, Nelson Street. Garrntt, Robert (Cpl.)—Miss M. M. Garrett, Rotorua. Gore, Robert— S. Bailey, 6. Vincent St Gracey, Chas, J.—J. Gracey, Waihi. Harris, Samuel H.—Mrs. E. Harris, 8, Princess Street, Devonport. Hawkins, Bi.sil B.— B. Hawkins, Gore St, Hftdgman, John— A. Long, Surrey Crescent, Arohhill.

Henderson, Peroy B—Mrs. M. A. Qoerty, „ Middleton Road, Remuera. _ , Hessell, Jim (Opl.)-W. I. Hessell, 7,H»nulton Road, Ponsonby. Hinton, Arthur (Sgt.)— Hinton, Frankton Junction. Etchings, William E.—Mrs. J. L. Hitchings, Moehan Streot, Auckland. Irwin, Edward E.— Irwin, Manukaußoad, Onohunga. Jackson, H.—A. Jackson, Lower Queen St. Katavich, Foter N.—A. Katavich, 13, Liverpool Street, Auckland. Kirk, Arthur L. (Cpl.)-Mrs. C. H. Coghlan, Thames. Lakiug, William S.— Laking, Onehunga. Law, Stanloy L.— J. Law, Hamilton. Leof, George—W. Leef, Kawakawa. Liversidgo, William J. (Cpl.)—Mrs. M. Liversidge, Rotorua. . Lowrio, M. L.—Mrs. E. H. Lowrio, Frankton Junction. .. , ,-,».. Lyttellon, James J.—Mrs, F. Welch, Te Kmti McArtluir, (ieorgo Miss I. K. McArthur. Putaruru, . , McCord, Albert-Mrs. Whitten, To Aroha. McCoy, Edmond D.-Mrs. R. W. McCoy. 61. Arthur St., Ponsonby. McGahon, Hugh-Miss R. Leahy. Onehuuga. McGechio, C, F.--C, McGechio, Green Lano. McGill, Walter (Sgt.)-Mrß. J. M. McGill, Waharaoa. „ Mcilinlay, Wm.-J. A. McKinlay, Tauranga. McKnight, Frederick G.— D. Nicholson, jun., Oturohua, . „ _ „ Mackinaon, Albert E.—Mrs. L. E. 3. Mackiuson, Paeroa. , . „, ~ Main, Walter C.-Mrs, H. Main, Station' Road, Remuera. _ «. , , Mansell, James A.-Miss A. Ray, Otahuhu. Marshall, Fred.-Mrs. Clarko, Pukekohe, , Moad. David Mrs. It. Miller, Whangaroi. Morgan, Fred.-Mrs. M. A C. Morgan, Cromwell Street, Dominion Road. Morron, John-Mrs. M. E. Morron, 18, Bolgium Street. « Palmer, Charles L.— Williamson, Otorolianga. _ , Perry. Lawrenco G.-Mrs. T. Woods, Pukekohe. , ._ _ , Pulman, Frederick W.-A. Pnlman, 37, Beach Road. Devonport. _ Quirk, Thomas— J. Angus, Tauranga. Rhodes, John-Mrs. S. Rhodes, Wlutianga. Roberton, Eric B. (Sfft.)-A. B. Eoberton, Fort Stree 1 ;, Auckland. Robinson. Clarence Mrs. F. L. Robinson, Auckland. _ _ ~ Russell, William (Cpl.)-Mrs. E. Buckingham, Hamilton. _ . Sarginson, Andrew (Cpl.)—J. Sargmßon, Wnininhaka, - , _, , , Scurrah, Thomas— Scurrah, Otahuhu. Shoarer, Thomas A, McD.-J. C. Shearer, Waimatuku, ■ . ». . ™ j Smith, Claude H.-F. Smith, Newton Road. Stewart, Tom it M. (Cpl.)-W. F. Stewart. Te Awwnutu. » ~ „, x . Struthors, James (L.-Cpl.)-T. M. Struthers, Otangawai. Swanson, Arthur-Mrs. E. Swanaon. 23, Spring Street, Ponsonby. Tarr. William P.—W. G. Tarr, Kaipaki, Waikato. „ , _ , Taylor, Joseph S.-Mrs. J. S. Taylor, East Hamilton. „ „ , Taylor, William S.-Mrs. K. Taylor, Otara. Tongatake, Whiri—Mrs. R. Tongatake, Kimihia. „ Vear, Porcival E.—Mrs. G. Yoar-, 43, Mary Street, Mount Eden. .. , ~ Voisht, Charles T.-J. 0. Voight, Pukerau. Wat!, Ted-E. Wall, Runciman. Washer, Harold A. (L.-Cpl.)-C. F. Washer, Tauranga, Williams, James T.—Mrs. B. Williams, 20, Spring Streot. Ponsonby. Wilson, G. (L.-Cpl.)— Mrs. J, Wilson, Wairoa> Wooater, F. R—J. Wooster, Hokianga. Wright, John-J. Wright, Waipu.