Interest ing Letters From Overseas.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 35, Issue 11, 1 February 1945, Page 9

Interest ing Letters From Overseas.

We are privileged to publish extracts from the following letters received by the Rt. Rev. F. A. Bennett, Bishop of Aotearoa from his three sons now serving overseas. Flying Officer Ted Bennett who has been m the Air Force for four years and is now the only representative of the Maori race still serving m England m operational flying writes: — "I am now back on operations again, flying with a N.Z/ day fighter squadron m 2nd Tactical Air Force. Our work consists chiefly of close support to the Army. "With the approach of Christmas one's thoughts- naturally concentrate, more than at any other time of the year, on ones own family back home. Earlier m the year I had at times entertained hopes of spending this Christmas with you all at home; but now that I am back on operations again, that is an impossibility. This coming Christmas will have been my fourth away from you at home, each of which so far has been celebrated m a different country. In 1941 m England, m 1942 m Africa, m 1943 m Italy, and m all probability 1944 will be celebrated m Belgium. "Although I am quite used to the form of celebration m the forces now, my mind and thoughts go back to you at home as this occasion is m general, and particularly for us, .the one time of the year, when every member of the family endeavours to the utmostto accomplish the annual pilgrimage to the parental abode, where the inseparable ties of loyalty, brotherhood, and goodwill are displayed m a practical and spiritual sense. "Though m person I shall be absent, my thoughts will be with you all. I know I shall be expressing the opinion of all that m particular our thoughts and prayers will be with Alby on this family occasion. Let us all hope and pray, that there shall be no absentees around the family table of Christmas 1945, and that the horrors and misfortune of war will be something of the past. I wish you all a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Personally I am m the very best of health, and hoping you all are the same. May God bless us all. —TED The Rev. Manu Bennett, chaplain writes:— "Here I am very conscious of the distance that separates us and very lonely m ttiis very strange land of the Pharaohs. "Te kainga ote he" is a very accurate description of this place as Charles and Tiff will be able to bear out.

"The first thing that struck me was the fact that m this place whose history witnesses to the : existence, of; all its present evils back almost to its beginnings, the children of Israel received a major part of its training* as ' a people, through whom was to be revealed, to the world the doctrine of unity, peace, love, and equality, all ' virtues which even to-day here have been very badly exploited. Profligacy, strife, filth, arid poverty, seem to be the hall-mark of this part .of the East, despite the many palatial ' homes and beautiful gardens that continually excite the pulse . of admiration and wonder! The other thing that deals a " very crippling blow is the extremely high price one has to pay for anything. They tell me that since the first arrival of our armies ihere' things have ,gone up 200 per cent. Consequently the role of "An Officer arid Gentleman" is - extremely expensive "Last week I went to Lord Moyne's funeral at the Cathedral here, and later m the week I went there again to an Oratorio "The Creation." It . was put on by a mixed choir of men from the forces and members of the Cairo Musical Society assisted by a symphony orchestra from the M.E. Forces. It was one of the performances which would be difficult to equal anywhere m the world. It was the first time I had ever heard the really high class of music on such a big scale. Beautiful Cathedral "The Cathedral would seat over a thousand people, and it was packed to overflowing. I have been there two or three times now. The building itself is magnificent beyond description. It is of a mosaic type of architecture, and is situated on the side of the Nile. The bishop is an elderly man round about . eighty years. "Last night I also went to an Egyptian service (Anglican). The whole service was conducted m Ara-. maic, but the priest gave part of his sermon m English for our benefit. It was one of the- finest sermons I have ever heard. I met him after the service and he proved to be every bit as charming as he is able. During the week I hope to visit some of the ancient Coptic churches with him; "I have not met many of the boys from home. Jack Chadwick is over m Italy. To-day I met Ted Napier who is on guard duty at Helwan Hospital. He is very well and enquired after you all. Bully Jackson is CO. at Base, and is a very fine fellow. He was confirmed m the field and is a very regular I communicant. Yesterday I held my first Army Church Parade; »Wanoa is still here but expects to be leaving any day now. I only wish Alby was still here. Being here where he was makes me miss him very much.

Have you heard from him lately? I hope all at home are well. — MANU In a further letter he writes: — "I had a very fine time m Palestine Dad and. continually thought of you and how much more you would have made of the experience than I can ever hope to make of it. I had the great privilege of meeting some of the Church's most able men. The greatest and most able mentally was the patriach of the Armenian Church. He made a very impressive, figure m his black cassock and flowing tieard. He is the only man yet that I have met whose brain seems to re-act like Sir Apirana Ngata's. Even his mannerisms resemble Sir A.T. although he was ..master of many different subjects from those which" occupy Sir. Apis mind. He talked without a break for over two hours m conversational manner, and there was never a dull moment. Distinguished Churchman "He spoke on a diversity of subjects with grave profoundness, but perhaps the most interesting and recreating was his account of, and hope for the Church m Russia. He was too, full of missionary zeal and was very anxious that some policy might soon evolve whereby the unity of the Protestant world might become a reality. I also met the Bishop of Maidstone, the Bishop m Jerusalem, and the Bishop of Cairo. "I was very interested to hear the other day that Dean Cruickshank had been elected Bishop of Waiapu. "I am still m base and am likely to remain here for some time as Wi Huata will not leave the boys m the line. I can't go until he comes out. There are not many of us here, and consequently there is very little to do. "Our Q.C. is Major Jackson who fortunately, is a very good churchman, and a man of strong character. We started our hymn practise for Christmas Day this morning. Hiram Marsh, whom some of the family may remember, is my choir-master, and a good one too although a Mormon. Yesterday we had Colonel Young m for- lunch. He has just relinquished command of the Maori Battah'on, which has now been handed over to Colonel Awatere. Colonel Young is on his way home and he it was who told me of Wi's reluctance to come out for a rest. Hiki Kohere is our Adjutant m base here and Ngati Porou predominate on the strength of this establishment. Warioa ought to be home by the time this reaches you, and I think you will-find a very different Wanoa from the one you knew. He ought to have a great future ahead of him. ■■ ' — MANU Lieutenant A. T. "Alby" Bennett was wounded m Italy during the as.sault on Casino. The bullet was ex- - tractea by German doctors m Italy,

where he remained for two months, before he could be moved as a. P.O.W. to*an Oflag camp m Germany.. He writes as follow: — "For two months after my capture,. I was m hospital m Italy , where I couldn't write home, but from the beginning of June I have written almost weekly to some of you. ' Please, understand that anyone may write but I shall not be able to answer every letter personally ks we are; only allowed three of these and four small, cards per month. Thank you so much Dad for all your news of. the whole family. I am especially grateful to know that Ted is so well. I hope it willnot be long before I hear from him. ' It is almost certain that we shall, go to England from herewhen the war is over. lam pleased, to know that Hori is so well and bright. ; Studying Languages "I am fairly busy these days studying languages. If lam still here m July (I hope not) I intend sitting some exams set m London m Italian and French. 'Not havingmatriculated I am ineligible for University exams . In a further letter Lieut. Bennett writes: — Received your second letter with, details of tangi at Tamatekapua and Te Puke yesterday. I thought I would be reported presumed killed. Divine intervention only saved me from death, and it is a miracle that, the bullet wound m my back has not caused me any permanent inconvenience (described m earlier letters). "Two months I spent m Germaru controlled hospital m Italy. Immediately after capture being the reason for the extra long delay. . No Red* Cross facilities for writing here.. After seven months without news you: can imagine Dad what a difference your loving and cheery messages, from the family make to one who has been absolutely cut off from the outside world. Have written several letters to Ted. So thrilled to know he is O.K. No news from George or anyone else. I spend all my time on languages being fairly proficient m French and Italian conversation, and am now starting Spanish. I intend sitting for an examination m the former two if the war lasts much longer. Before' l return I intend to spending a short while m France if leave granted m England. "Re parcels: 1 Any food parcels (next of kin' only) allowed. Four per annum would be welcome. Advise Oha to arrange through Red Gross for Ted to send them from England. Padre Hurst from Lower Hutt sendsregards and says Padre Hopkins is O.K. They were both captured about same time but m different camps. Church services held regularly m all camps. My prayers are always for you ,all. May the war soon be over. Love to all. — ALBY