SOLDIERS’ THANKS

Camp News, Volume 3, Issue 109, 13 February 1942, Page 6

SOLDIERS’ THANKS

For Christmas Parcels

LUXURIES IN THE DESERT

Letters dated in Christmas week have been received from soldiers .in the Middle East by the secretary of the Wellington Metropolitan and Brovin cial Patriotic Committees, expressing thanks for parcels received. Here is a typical soldier’s missive:

“As the fortunate recipient of your parcel presented on behalf of the Wellington metropolitan district,' I wish to thank you for such a generous gift, and congratulate you on the choice of articles included therein. Under the conditions in which we live in the Western Desert the contents of these

parcels constitute luxuries and provide a very welcome change from bully stew and. rice. The opening of the parcels, particularly at this season of -the year, carries one back to one’s infancy, and is reminiscent of the broaching of the stocking on Christmas morning. It would seem that one never entirely outgrows the interests and pleasures of childhood.” Another man. an engineer, wrote: “I

received my parcel on Christmas morning, for which much thanks. We opened some of the fruit for tea, and tried to make things as near possible like home life. We had a high dinner and a piece of real Christmas pudding. Unfortunately I am a patient at the Hol wan general hospital not a battle casualtyand am . pleased to say we have been treated very well both before and during Christmas. The passage and rooms have all been decorated and look quite gay. On Christmas Evo a number, of the staff went through the wards singing Christmas carols and

on Christmas night a party of the 11.A.F. came and sang carols, all of which we enjoyed. We have had visits from representatives of all the different organizations, and they all brought something with them. I do hope that this terrible business will soon be ovei so that we can have our next Christmas in peace and safety in New Zealand.”

.An artillery captain wrote by the same mail : “My gift parcel containing foodstuffs, handkerchiefs and toilet requisites from the Patriotic Council is to hand. I would ask you to accept my grateful thanks for same. We all greatly appreciate these parcels, and the generosity of the people at home in donating them. The fact that all the parcels may not be acknowledged by recipients should not be taken as any indication that they are not highly valued, but facilities in the desert are somewhat restricted, and there is not a great deal of leisure for writing. I can assure you from remarks overheard at the time of the distribution

that the troops greatly appreciate not only • the contents of the parcels; but the thought which prompts their donation. so kindly convey to the council our grateful thanks for their efforts.”