SHY HEROES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18292, 8 July 1921, Page 6

SHY HEROES

WOUNDED STILL IX HOSPITAL. ENTERTAINING DISFIGURED SOLDIERS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, May 13. Now that the summer has conic, the wounded soldiers v/hc are still at the Sidcup Hospital, where shattered features are mended and faces are ‘rebuilt,” remember with pleasure the nicnics they had on the Thames last year. It was one of their greatest join to spend the day up the nver, where no one could see thorn. Their trips wf,re made possible by Mr and Mrs C. J. Wray (Wanganui), who' did so much to entertain the men at the Walton Hospital during the war, and now tlivv hove a bungalow at Sheppcrtem built out of one of the huts that once stood in the hosnhal grounds. On the last occasion the men were invited to Shepperton, Sir James Allen was there, and addressed them, for New Zealand has a special interest in Sidcup on account of the great work done by Major H. D. Gillies and Major H. P. Pickorill, both of the dominon. And now Mrs Wray is in need of funds to carry on tho summer picnics. The Evening News makes a graceful tribute to her work on behalf of these disfigured soldiers, and tells of "the men behind the curtain «t (he Hippodrome.” Among the three hundred men who are still at Sidcup are many who take a great deal of persuasion before they can be induced to go out. One man would not see hie own mother, and refused to go out. He had no nose, and bo felt that everyone would be looking at him. Then Mrs Wray promised that no one should see him if he would come out with her. “ Don’t disappoint me,” ehe said. A COMEDIAN’S TEARS. Sho took him everywhere in cabs, and had a box at the Hippodrome at night, where (with eoven companions) lie sat with the curtains drawn. To George Robey, who was playing, Mrs Wray sent eight pieces of paper, with the request that he would give his autograph to as many wounded men. He eent back his photograph to each of them and a mascot, which they have worn over since. "Ho crane to tho box,” said Mrs Wray, “ and when he saw the men there were team in his eyes.”

” People in New Zealand sent mo money to entertain the poor fellows. It was in this way: A New Zealander came to one of my parties. When ho saw the men he exclaimed ‘My God! I’ve not known what tho war was before!’ He put £5 in tov hand, and when he got home he told the New Zealand people that 1 must have money to entertain the men.

” This week one of my friends gave a party for the men. They asked me: ‘ Will there ho days up tho river this summer?’ I said • Yes' —I couldn’t help it. I’ve no money left, but I think it will be raised. Tho men ha ve come each summer for days on the river to our bungalow at Sheppexton. Tho Shopper ton people lend boats and make gift* of food for the picncs. When they saw the men having such fun on our little bit of gross they clubbed together and gave a party to 118. WHAT IT COSTS.

“ But tho railway fares) It cost £lB for 39 of them to come from Sidcup to Shepporton. They told me once that they liked my way of • entertaining ’ because I left thorn alono! I give them cigarettes and scone papers, and they play clock golf." Mrs Wray cooks all the food for her parties so that not a penny shall go in service, and the noighoure come in and help. At the present time she has 30s in pennies towards the summer days on the river, but one hopes that tho publicity given by the Evening News will bring a generous reopens®.