A WIDOW'S APPEAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16850, 15 May 1918, Page 8

A WIDOW'S APPEAL.

HOME SERVICE FOR SON.

I RETURNED SOLDIER IN CAMP. , The First Military Service Board yesterday heard an appeal fay Mrs. Georgina Keilaon, Ponsonby (Mr. Inder). for the retention of her son, Corporal Neilson, a soldier recently returned from the front,' and at present on leave from camp. Corporal Neilson, who gave evidence, said that the appeal was not a personal one, but was made solely on account of hi» mother, who was in very poor health, this statement being supported by medical evidence. He was the only unmarried son left, and his mother's sole support she being a widow. For her sake, he de' sired to be placed "on home service. One brother had been killed at the front last year; the only other brother was married He himself had been at the front close on three years, taking part in the battles of the Somme, Messmes, and Passchendaele. As the result of a letter sent to General Godley, he had been sent back fronTthe firing-line to Staples, the base in France, then to England, and subsequently to New Zealand. After a short period of leave he had gone into camp, and had recently been granted sick leave until May 31 He presumed he would be instructed later to return to the front.

The chairman of the board said that while sympathising with the mother, he did not hold this to be entirely convincing ground for granting the request. If every mother who was Breaking her heart for her son asked for his return, what would be the result? Already many very hard cases had come before board, i*>me of them.even harder than the present one Evidence as to Mrs. Neilson's financial affairs was given by Robert Richmond. Mrs. Neilson, in fevidence, said the state of her health had led to her making the appeal She did not wish her son to leave the forces; if he could be put on home service and given work in camp she would be quite satisfied. Evidence was given to the effect that a,Y>ellant was an electrician, with six years experience, belonging to the specialist branch of the Signallers* Corps Counsel suggested that an appointment as camp instructor might solve the difficulty. , '

The Chairman: The board might recommend such a course, but the camps seem to be full of instructors, and, quite possibly, the authorities would say thev could not find a job for him. " Major Conlan suggested that, in view of the shortage of electricians, appellant might be able to replace some man who had not been to the front. ' It would be only a fair thing that such a man should give place to Neilson, who had already seen a good term of active service. The case was adjourned for inquiry j n this direction.