THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO NETLEY HOSPITAL.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 308, 30 June 1898, Page 2

THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO NETLEY HOSPITAL.

The Queen, accompanied hy Princess Christian, Princess Henry of Rattenberg, and Princess Victoria of SchleawigHolstein, and attended by the Duchess of Roxburgh?, Major-General Sir John McNeill, V.C., Major the Hon. H. C. Legge, and Lieut. Ponsouby, left Windsor Castle on Saturday, May 14th, in order to visit Netley Hospital. The Royal party arrived at the hospital at ten minutes to five. The Queen proceeded to the bedside of the wounded in their wards, and Her Majesty spoke a few words of kindly sympathy to every patient, being assisted by the Princesses, who also showed the greatest interest in the wounded. There were in all 54 cases of wounded from the Indian frontier, and all were suffering from gunshot wounds, or had lost a limb. The men were_ much touched, as well as pleased. Her Majesty went into nearly every ward. When she reached Piper Findlater the Queen first asked where he came from. He replied, from Aberdeenshire. Sir John McNeil repeated the auawer to Her Majesty, who remarked, "Oh ! another Aberdeeushire man.'' The piper had been seated, and made an attempt to stand, but Her Majesty commanded him to remain seated. The Queen said a few words to the piper and then pinned the Victoria Cross on his left breast, commending him at the same time for his bravery. Findlater burst into tears and was quite unable to say anything for a while. After Ber Majesty had left to go tc other wards Findlater got his pipes, presented him on the previous Monday through Colonel Williamson, and played the " Haughs of Crorrdale," the same tune which he played at Dargai. A little further on the Queen came to the ward occupied by Lance-corporal Vickery, who was also decorated with the Victoria Cross, He was also deeply moved by the honour conferred upon him and wa3 only able to murmur his thanks. Her Majesty saw altogether BS9 men. One of the cases was that of Corporal Gray, of the 11th Hussars, who had been in Netley Hospital for two years. He had been twice visited by the Queen during his stay v-jgm Netley, and on three occasions by PriuHH cess Henry of Battenberg. He is a great ~ favourite in the hofpital, and Her Majesty addressing him said : " I hope you are getting better; you look better than when I saw you last." The Queen also specially spoke to Private Gibson, of the 2nd Scottish Rifles (Cameronians), whom she had seen on her previous visit, and whom she at once remembered. Her Majesty left her chair and, escorted by Sir John McNeill, went to the bedside of the wounded man. The Queen asked : Are you getting on better since I saw you last ? " and the man replied that he was progressing all right. He seemed greatly pleased Her Majesty was also much interested in the case of Piper Kidd, of the Gordon Highlanders. The Queen afterwards descended in the lift to the medical division situated on the next floor and proceeded to visit the wards, the convalescents lining the verandah. Every patient was visited and spoken to, and then Her Majesty descended to the lower storey, where Lieutenant Pears, of the Cameronians, was presented. He is one of the oiheers who was wounded at the front. It had been arranged that the Royal traiu should leave Netley at 5.30., but, finding the visit could not be completed and every patient visited in tjj&fc time, Her Mujestry directed the traiWß be delayed. i On her return from the hospital the Queen met with an enthusiastic reception by the thousands who had assembled to i see her. J