CARE OF WOUNDED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 50, 2 March 1943, Page 6

CARE OF WOUNDED

COMMISSIONER’S REPORT

The eleventh monthly report from file Joint Council’s St. John and New Zealand Red Cross Society Commissioner in the Middle East has been received, and. as usual, shows a further period of hard work, and is also a fine example of the methods adopted by the commissioner to make the lot of our sick and wounded a happier one. Hospital visiting is, of course, amongst the major tasks of the commissioner, and, ably assisted by a staff of voluntary workers, it was nossible to repeat last month’s performance, i.e., calling and leaving gifts of various kinds on 8000 patients. This equals approximately one visit weekly to all our sick and wounded. Additionally, the care of those men who were evacuated to New Zealand was not forgotten, and each one was presented with tokens of goodwill from the Joint Council, through the Red Cross Commissioner.

The method of embarking the sick and wounded on to the hospital ship was slightly altered and the change was a great improvement on previous systems. “The patients,” to quote the commissioner, "appeared to be in good spirits and looking forward to seeing New Zealand again.” As Christmas was fast approaching when the report was being written, it is gratifying to know that 2500 Christmas stockings had been prepared for distribution, and it is certain these gifts would be most acceptable to all the recipients. Additional to the ordinary gifts, each parcel also contained some New Zealand tobacco. A special paragraph is Included in the report and is published for the information of all concerned. This deals with photographs of graves, and, as it is of utmost importance, it is quoted in full:—

“A special order has been issued by 2nd N.Z.E.F. directing that all requests for photographs of deceased soldiers’ graves must be made to Army Headquarters, Wellington.” In view of this, no further requests Can be received by the Red Cross Commissioner. It will, therefore, be necessary for applications for such photographs to be made to the Army Headquarters, Wellington, C.l. Next-of-kin who have been anxiously awaiting news of the location •f graves of their deceased relatives: The commissioner advises that it Is hoped to have a list prepared, and as soon as this is completed, it will be available for publication. In completing the report, the commissioner states that, in response to a cable he received from the War Purposes -Committee of the Joint Organisation, he arranged, on behalf of the next-of-kin, to olace flowers on the grave of one of our deceased ■ervicemen; and such examples of assistance are gladlv undertaken, so that if any other relative or friend of one who has “passed on” is anxious to pay a similar tribute, please communicate with the secretary, War Purposes Committee, P.O. Box 39, Te Aro, Wellington.