WITH THE STRICKEN IN WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2717, 11 March 1916, Page 3

WITH THE STRICKEN IN WAR

THE CHAPLAIN'S STORY

SUNSHINE AND SHADOW IN A RED CROSS HOSPITAL

Chaplain-Captain Angus Macdonakl, who is at present visiting Wellington, told to an interested audience at tho Boys' Institute tho other evening a thrilling story of tho work done by Now Zealand chaplains and nurses amongst tho New Zealand troops at tho Egyptian base hospitals. Chaplain Macdonakl, who wns for over twenty years attached to tho Imperial Army, is a man of strong frame and "ir.rdy physique, a. braw Highlander, in yet alter a year's constant work in tho trying conditions obtaining in Egyptian military hospitals ho found it necessary to recuperato, and for that purposo is at present in New Zealand, lie roturns, however, with tho next transport to resume tho work for which ho is so eminently fitted. Though he desired very much to go to tho front, 1m wns'retained at tho baso on account of his previous experience in military hospitals. A Purveyor of Cood Choor. In dealing with _ the sick and wounded, ho said, no distinctions were inado as to what sect or denomination a soldier belonged to. All wcro treated alike, the only qualifications being tho needs of the man and the fact, that ho was a soldier. Lot ns follow the chaprain through one of tho wards, taking ono where the patients woro ablo to enjoy a smoke. Tho chaplain could bo seen with a clothcs-baskct full of pipes, followed by two orderlies, also carrying Daskets, one full of different brands of tobacco, and tho other with cigarettes. Every soldier in that hospital, with its 2000 beds, had tho opportunity given him of selecting his own pipe and special brand of tobacco or cigarettes, tho chaplain, when tho man was unable to do so himself, filling and lighting bis pipe for liim. In tho samo way witn those who did not smoke, choco--sates and other comforts were provided, all being treated alike. And it was astonishing, said the chaplain, what an inordinate desire for sweets or something acid those who had been wounded' and ?ost much blood had. They craved for lollies, and greatly appreciated tlio visits of the chaplain when he. came with a large tin of lollies under each arm to distribute amongst them. Defence Minister Praised. Captain Macdonald explained that he was ablo to provide most of tho things given to tho men out of Government funds, and, "Let me say hero," lie said with enthusiasm: "I am no politician; [ care nothing for' politics, but I want Co tell you that the Minister of Defence (tho Hon. Mr. Allen) has been splendid in. tlie manner ho lias provided for tho sick and wounded. Many times he cabled to us: 'Leave nothing undone, spare 110 oxpense in providing comforts for the sick and wounded. Tho Government will meet tlio expense.' The Minister had beon taken at his word, and all wholesale orders for which receipts could bo obtained were met by the Government. In addition to that fund, many kind people in New Zealand rnd even in Britain and elsewhere (including Egypt), gave sums to the chaplains. On one occasion ho received £100 for the New Zealand soldiers from an unknown donor, and so ho was able to purchase mauv little comforts for which receipts could Hiti. be obtained, and which could not very wfcll, be charged to tho Government Fancies of the Sick. "I had a car placed at my disposal," ho continued, "in which I took out convalescent soldiers, and on the way would purchase fruit or some little delicacy from some Egyptian, or Greek, from whom it wculct bo impossible to obtain a receipt. Then tho hoys took nil kinds of fancies, and would ask for all kinds of strange things, and as I stood in 'loco parentis' to them, seeing they were away from home, with none of their own kith and kin to minister to them, and those requests generally came as they neared the end of life's journey. On ono occasion a Nov/ ~caland lad askod! for a scissors and hand mirror, so that he could trim his nails and tidy up a bit to loo': presentable •vlieu his mother and sister came to seo him, and nothing would satisfy him but these. They were purchased by tho chaplain for him. His hair was .brushed and his nails trimmed, and when next morning the padre came to see him, he lay in the eilenco of death, with tlio' scissors firmly clasped in ono hand, his last thoughts having been of the.coming of his mother and sister. Another Dunedin boy had a strong desire to send a cablegram, as lie felt so much better, and was sure ho would get away in tho next transport leaving for New Zealand. He was very young, and he wished to ,cable his mother to expect him homo soon,and 'to bring little Jacky with' her to meet him when the transport came to Dunedin.' Chaplain Macdonald ' went out of tho ward and soon returned with a sovereign "which he placed in his hand. In a short time'ho had passed away, grasping the sovereign liko some treasured possession. There were few dry eyes as the chaplain told of these and many other instances, pathetic and thrilling, showing the bravery, heroism, and faithfulness of the Now _ Zealand soldiers and nurses. Tho soldiers bore their sufferings without murmur or complaint. The worst cases must have been fearful agony, yet a silence that could bo felt pervaded the ward. A New Race of Men. The rccupcrativo powers of tho New Zealanders were so wonderful as to call forth the remark from ono of tho world's most eminent medical men that in Now Zealand quite a now race of men were being reared. Shot through tho body in many places, and even through the head, and when by every experience and medical diagnosis they should havo died, they defied tho verdict of both nurses and physicians, and recovered. Tho Now Zealand nurses also snowed great stamina, and performed Herculean tasks. Without respite, they stuck to their tasks, often working all night as well as all day. And when, as often happened, a nurse got word of her own brother's or some relative's or dear one's death, and was iriven leave for a day, she generally continued her work, or transferred herself to work in some other hospital for tho period of her leave. Heroic Nurses. They 1 worked until they could no longer stand, and when a nurse broke down it was a serious matter. One rosy-faced country girl had so broken down. Sho longed for a drink of lemon. Tho temperature stood at llOdeg. in the shade, sometimes at 120deg in tho shado of the verandah. The padro drovo off in his car; the lemons, after much trouble, were secured, made into Jemon drinks, filled into bottles, packed in ice, and taken back to the hospital, and it was more than recompense to sec. the look of delight, as placing both hor hands over her bottle, sho clasped it tight, declaring, that if sho could only rise she would kiss tho padre's boots. Amidst scenes liko these, said the chaplain, ono forgot whether lie was a Presbyterian, an Anglican, or a Koman Catholic, as lie knelt besido the ueds i of the dying, or administered to the sick and wounded, his only thought 'being that the patients arc God's children. Tho talk was listened to with the urnatest Interest, and willed forth the Lremark from Col. W S. Moorfcousej who

was present., Unit it was tho most oinquont wriiinii ho had over listened to. 'I'Jio president of the institute (.Mr. G. Troup), in thanking u Captain Macihniald, mentioned llmt tlio chaplain had J»"I.V referred to tlio funds on which no could draw—tlio Government fund .111 id tlio fund which ho received in Rifts from tlio public, but lie l;now of another, 110 had it on excellent authority that tho chaplain made frequent itso of another fund—his own salary—whicli was niton overdrawn months ahead, to• prol'ido comforts for tlio sick and. (lying when tlio others wcro not available.