SOLDIER'S GRATITUDE

Opotiki News, 15 October 1940, Page 2

SOLDIER'S GRATITUDE

WAIUTAHI INSTITUTE THANKED FOR GIFTS TO SOLDIERS The following letter has been received by the Waiotahi Women’s Institute from a soldier, Sergeant R. Blair, 2 Divisional Signals, 2nd Echelon, N.Z.E.F., Greats Britain, who -enclosed the ticket sent by the Institute inside a parcel of gifts for soldiers in England: “On behalf of the Boys of Divisional Signals, I am writing in an endeavour to thank you for your very welcome gifts which were just what we wanted.

“You would, I am sure, be thrilled with your efforts if you could have seen us the evening your gifts were distributed. We had just returned to our base from manoeuvres near the coast and we were all a bit short of sleep, but we soon came to life at the word of “Gifts frern Home.” Dear old N.Z.—the boys wont let you down. “The women folk of this Country are an inspiration to us all. Their cheerfulness and quiet confidence cannot fail to impress one as to the final outcome of the war. Food is plentiful, and the people want for nothing.

“I seem to be making quite a letter of this but once again we thank you and appreciate your great kindness.” On the back of the card enclosed by the Institute which bore the Institute’s address and the words: “With best wishes,” the soldier had written, “This little ticket has been 40 yards from a German bomb. No one was hurt. The “Jerry” was unloading his bombs as a British Fighter was on his tail and he was endeavouring to escape.”