SICK AND WOUNDED

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 64, 14 March 1941, Page 3

SICK AND WOUNDED

Men Of Expeditionary Force PROVISION OF COMFORTS / ; Writing from the Middle East, the Deputy Director of Medical Services, Colonel McCormick paid tribute to what was being done by the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and New Zealand Red Cross Society on behalf of the sick and wounded at the general hospitals and convalescent depots in the area under his control. lie reported that comforts were arriving in adequate supply and in good order, giving satisfaction, and proving of great value to himself and the officers and nursing staff under him.

He mentioned the splendid co-opera-tion given by the war organization of the British Red Cross under Lord Somers during the early period following the arrival of the N.Z.E.F. in the Middle East. The Red Cross in handing over its task, transferred all aquipment to convalescent depots without charge, and agreed to make the Red Cross launch used on Lake Timsah available to New Zealand convalescents.

To meet the needs of our men in the early period, the Joint Council here remitted the sum of £SOOO to the British Red Cross Commissioner, Lord Somers, so that requisitions for comforts on behalf of our N.Z.E.F. . men could be readily met. Subsequently this trust was transferred to the Deputy Director of Medical Services, and the Commissioner for the National Patriotic Fund Board, Colonel Waite, who were henceforth to control the activities affecting the welfare of the sick and wounded of the N.Z.E.F. in the Middle East. As funds became depleted they would be replenished by the Joint Council here. Comforts For Wounded. Before Christmas arrangements were made by the Red Cross here to dispatch enough Christmas parcels for all in hospital and convalescing at the time. The patients from No. 2 Ward of the Ist New Zealand General Hospital, writing to acknowledge the gifts, said they spent a very happy Christmas, thanks in no small measure to the kindness of the donors.

The Joint Council loses no opportunity when shipping space is available to send comforts of all kinds for the sick and wounded to the Middle East, the United Kingdom, the Pacific Islands, and wherever else New Zealand troops are stationed, to men of the R.N.Z.A.F. in Canada, and those in the N.Z.E.F, Convalescent Depot in India. At present all provincial committees are concentrating on the supply of extra comforts for the hospital ship and the next reinforcement.