CHAPLAIN-MAJOR LUXFORD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16545, 19 November 1915, Page 2

CHAPLAIN-MAJOR LUXFORD.

Major Luxford, senior chaplain of the New Zealand Forces, who was wounded during the fighting inland from Suvla Bay at the beginning of August, and who had in consequence to have his right leg amputated in the hospital at Alexandria, has (states our London correspondent) been for some time at the Officers' Hospital in the Ensleigh Palace Hotel. He has now been moved to another Officers' Hospital at Dover House, Roehampton. Major Luxford lived with tho men throughout, deeply interested in tho details of the strange life, very glad that he had the opportunity of sharing it, and thoroughly appreciating the comradeship that existed between the chaplains of all creeds. He gives a very interesting account of Armistice Day, away back in May. when it was absolutely necessary to call a truce for the purpose of burying the dead, and when Turks and Christians, as far as possible, restored the fallen to their own. lines. Major Luxford makes it clear that our officers do everything in their power to secure the identification of tho fallen. I and that they make a great point of having the burial service read over each man There are occasions when_ they . themselvts have to bury the men in circumstances which do jiot permit of a chaplain being present, but .they are careful to mark the grave and have a service read over it as soon as possible. Most of tho burials now take plare at night, when not even a lantern is allowed, leet it should draw the enemy's fire. The Sunday services are all conducted under d'fficulties. but they are very well attended, and Major Luxford I notes with pleasure how many of tho men have liked to attend the communion service; |It is not perhaps generally known that i specially arranged services, or many ..small I services in different parts of tho lines, havo j always been held before the troops went into any specially big action.