OVERWHELMED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 227, 24 September 1940, Page 5

OVERWHELMED.

LETTERS TO SOLDIER. CHEER FOR BOYS OVERSEAS. "Thanks! Thanks!! Thanks!!! It's been wonderful and overwhelming—l7s letters in answer to my letter which the 'Star' was good enough to publish. And they're etill coming in. I've answered most of them and now I'm too tired to write any more. You have done a lot for the 'Digger,' and we won't forget you, and the least I can do is give you some idea of what happened," so writes Gunner 245C3 from Papakura Camp. A fortnight ago he was in Ward 19 at the Auckland Hospital and he wrote a letter to the '"Star," in which he eaid he had 100 "cobbers" now serving overseas who would be cheered up by receiving a letter now and again. He offered to provide names and addresses. Let him tell what happened.

"Phew! Please pardon me," he writes, "but at the moment I feel like a piece of chewed string. And the reason—for five days and nights I have been hard at it replying to my literally staggering number of answers to my letter in Thursday's (September 12) 'Star. , To date—one week later—they total 175 and they are still , trickling in at the rate of eight to 14 a day Letters poured in from all parts of the North Island, and, strangely enough, one writer, a lass in a Wellington beauty parlour, had the same initials and surname as myself. The general tenor of the letters made me realise (don't think this is 'hooey') what nice people must subscribe to the i 'Star. ,

"The letters are tangible proof of the love and concern of New Zealanders for the boys who are going, or who have gone, overseas. I know you don't kick i up a row when we are on our final leave in your cities and until now, in common with many other soldiers, I have thought 'Oh, they don't give a damn about us.' Now I know how hopelessly wrong I was. I think I have answered every letter so far and given the address of a 'cobber.' I would hate to disappoint the kindly type of New Zealander who hae replied to my letter.

"Briefly I will give you some idea of the replies which poured in. They are as follow:—

"From Mount Eden: 'I am a young man, a cripple, and have to rely upon my pension for my living. I am afraid I will not be able to forward any comforts except an occasional newspaper, but if you give me the name and address of a cobber I will write to him.'

"From Paerata: 'If you care to send an address I will try to send at least one of your pals a letter and a cake for Christmas. It's not so much I can do, but while I am making a cake for Gunner Charlie in England and Maurice in Egypt, one more will be no trouble.'

"From Wanganui.—'l am writing to 24 of our boys overseas and am willing to write to your friends, and as many as you like, because the boys I have written to are so pleased to get a letter. I mad« a promise I would never turn down a request for a letter.'

"From Rotorua.—'l am a rather lonely widow and have often wished to send a

cheery letter end parcel overseas. Now I hope to get the chance. .

"From Grafton.—'l will write to anyone you wish, for you see I also am a soldier, one of Auckland's girl soldiers, and we soldiers must simply stick together. , "From HobsonviHe. — 1 will write to any of your cobbers whose addresses yon send me. It must be rotten for chaps who get no mail. , "And so the replies rolled in. Always in the same strain; always anxious to do something to cheer the boys up and let them know they are not forgotten. Dozens were from girls. who gave their ages as from 19 to 23, and many wrote that they considered it a duty to do all they could to cheer up the lads, and now they had been given the opportunity."

And Gunner 24563 winds' up with "Thanks, 'Star.' Thanks all you wonderful people who have replied. It's been; marvellous; it's been a pleasure. Goodbye."