NEW ZEALAND WOUNDED

Otago Witness, Issue 3215, 27 October 1915, Page 29

NEW ZEALAND WOUNDED

HOW THEY ARE TREATED. THE HOSPITAL ARRANGEMENTS. (From Malcolm Ross, Official War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces.) GALLIPOLI PENINSULA, August 17. The hardest time for the wounded man is the time in between his wounding and his being placed on board the hospital ship. In modern warfare ho is liable to _bo wounded by bayonet thrust, rifle fire, machine gun fire, shrapnel, bomb, ordinary shell, inflammatory shell, and high explosive. In front of the Germans ho has the added horror of noxious gases. On the Peninsula the Turk has not descended to the same depths as his German friend in the use of gas. - His nearest approach to it has been the firing of a few inflammatory shells, which have harmed no one. Altogether he has fought a clean fight, has shown much bravery and resource, and is respected by our troops, who, while they will fight him to a finish, bear him no malice. We have also reason to believe that the Turk is treating such of our wounded as fall into their hands in a merciful and manner. The Turkish medical service is said to be good, and material captured by the New Zealanders in the recent fight leads us to the conclusion that the enemy is tolerably well supplied with the medical and surgical necessities for an army in the field. It is a rather difficult matter getting our wounded out of the steep and broken country that we have recently taken, but everything that can bo done is now being accomplished, and doctors and stretcherbearers alike are still doing heroic work. Each man carries a first field dressing, and that, skilfully applied, often saves a lot of after trouble. Quito close to the firing line in the narrow gullies arc established dressing stations, where wounds are properly dressed by experienced surgeons. From these stations the wounded are borne on stretchers for about a mile, and perhaps two miles, to the casualty clearing station, which is generally put in the shelter of a hill or gully near the beach. At this point during the last battle there was some trouble, due mainly to insufficient transport facilities between the shore and the ships, and also to want of adequate shelter on shore. In regard to the New Zealand wounded in particular, they have, owing to the action of the Government, and the_ liberality of private individuals, all the time been receiving exceptional treatment. The hospital ships take them to Alexandria, Port Said, and Malta. Slight cases may be landed at Imbros and Mudros, where there are tent hospitals. In Egypt the boats are met on arrival by the New Zealand Base Staff, under Colonel Charters, and by Chaplin Greene, of the Salvation Army, and the names are noted. Each man then gets a redirection post-card, which, on arrival at the hospital to which he is taken, he fills m, so that prompt delivery by the Military Post Office of letters, newspapers, telegrams, and parcels may be assured. In most cases a soldier will be on his way to the hospital while his letters may be on their way to the Gallipoli Peninsula, and in this case there will be delay, because the exigencies of the supply service are such that at times the mails must bo regarded as of secondary importance. Apropos I may state hero that one load of mails—36 bags—went to the bottom of the sea off Imbros, so that if New Zealand correspondents do not get replies to certain letters —private and official—it may be put down to that accident. Reverting to the New Zealand wounded in Egypt, the many hospitals to which wounded are sent are visited by one or other of the Now Zealand chaplains, whose special duty it is to supply the men with any immediate necessities they may require, such as shaving gear, toothbrush, _ handkerchiefs, writing paper, water beds (in certain cases), crutches, sticks, underwear, cigarettes, tobacco, pipes, chocolate, fruit (in certain cases), newspapers etc. Newspapers, which are supplied by the Government, and in some cases by the newspaper proprietors, are always welcome. British and other residents in Egypt have been most kind to our -woundedi and to those people New Zealand owes a special debt of gratitude, which in most cases can never bo adequately repaid. At the beginning many of these women went to assist in the hospitals when there -was a groat strain on the ordinary staffs. When the men are fit to leave hospital 1 many go into convalescent homes or camps established by the Government, and administered by a local committee. Lady Godley was the pioneer in this good work, which she continues with judgment and energy. There is a committee for each centre. In Cairo the Committee consists of Surgeon-general Ford (director of medical services in Egypt), Lieutenant-colonel Hall (camp commandant), the senior medical officer, and Chaplain Angus MacDonald. At Alexandria the committee consists of Lady Godlcy, Colonel Charters, Captain Fitzherhort. and Chaplain Greene. The divisional staff officer in Egypt is, ex officio, a member of both committees. At Malta the Red Cross Society, in conjunction with Chaplain Tobin, is administering funds supplied by the Government to provide additional comforts for the wounded New Zealanders. Here, also, the few devoted British residents are doing a great work amongst the men.

When a man is unfit for further service he is shipped hack to New Zealand. Generally ho wants to get back into the firing line. Ho wishes, as he puts it, “to rejoin the boys.” He goes back, and is wounded again, perhaps killed in action, to occupy a nameless grave in a Turkish trench or on some steep hillside or deep ravine. But he has given hie all for England—Mother England—and his relatives, mourning the loss of so gallant a son, may dry their tears and assuage their sorrow with a glow of pride in such an honourable sacrifice. In this fighting I have seen New Zealanders —and I have no doubt there are British and Australians, too —who have come back until they have been wounded three timee. Sneh a number of honourable scars should surely entitle them to surcease of strife ! Altogether it may bo said that New Zealand is looking after her wounded ns no other country is. The organisation and the energy displayed are as near perfection as possible under the circumstances. Indeed, one other dominion, at least, has noted and admired our organisation. In conclusion, it may be said that it is pleasant to hear the wounded speak in terms of the highest praise of their officers It was not always thus; hut the Now Zealand officers have shown in battle that they uro

made of the right stuff. A wounded man in hospital expressed regret for once having called his officer “A damned old woman.” “I am very sorry I ever said that,” he told a friend, ‘‘for, by God, ho died like a man and a gentleman !”