Patching up Soldiers.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 41, 29 May 1917, Page 2

Patching up Soldiers.

In one of the limb-shops of the Queen Mary Hospital at Roehampton, London, where artificial limbs for wounded heroes are made, disabled soldiers find their feet with the aid of parallel bars. In order that the legs may suit them as nearly perfectly as possible, it is usual for the men to take their first steps in the practising-room before the limbs are finished.

Less than five months ago Sergeant Kent, of the sth Wilts, lost his legs in his country’s service at the Dardanelles. Recently, consciously proud of his facility, took an afternoon stroll round the grounds of the hospital with only two walking-sticks to help him. For six days he had been relearning how to walk —a joyous experience for a man who had contemplated a life with crutches. A one-armed man strode along a corridor swinging the one arm—his left—as he walked. His hand was gloved, and the fingers gripped, but they were unnaturally hard. The lower part of the one arm was artificial, and the opening and shutting of the hand and the deceiving swing of the limb were operated by shoulder movements. Private Chaplin, of the Welsh Fusiliers, is the owner of this wonderful hand, with which, among other accomplishments, he can write remarkably well. "It was a bit of a job at first,” he admitted. “You see, it’s a left arm."