LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 149, 19 March 1919, Page 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

GRAVES OF NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS

AN OFFER TO RELATIVES EERE.

Sir-At the request of my friend, Colonel Fonwick, tho officer iii charge of the New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst, I'njn sending you a copy of a letter ho has received from Mrs. C. M. Salwoy, of Lymington, which ho thinks would bo of much interest to many of your readers were it published in your paper. In his covering note Colonel ienwick oxplnins that Mrs. Salwey wrote in reply to a circular letter ho had addressed to some 300 residents in tho neighbourhood, of the hospital thanking them for their great kindness to his soldier patients. He had received a largo number of acknowledgments, all expressing warm admiration for the conduct and bearing of tho New Zealand soldiers, and ho nad selected Mrs. Salwey's for publication because it contained a thoughtful, warmhearted offer which he was sure would give as much pleasure to bereaved relatives as it had given to him. "I have taken overv possiblo care, the colonel adds, "to see that up to the time of our departure the graves of the New Zealanders in tho Brockenhurst churchyard are kept in good condition, and our brave dead held in honoured remembrance, but I know it will bo a great comfort to many relatives to bo assured that after wo kave tho work will be carried on by such loving hearts and ready hands as 'those of Mrs. Salwey."—l am, etc., S.SAUNDERS. AVellington, March 17. [Enclosure.] "Mrs C. M. Salwey wishes to thank Colonel P. C. Fen wick for tho kind circular letter he has sent her. The New Zealand Expeditionary Forces will never be forgotten, and they will be very much missed among us all. Wo shall think often of their deeds of bravery, their noble actions on the battlefields, their self-sacrifice in crossing tho water and coming to the Mother Country in our time of great need. "Please convey our deep sympathy to tho loving mothers whoso eyes, will not be gladdened by the sight of their beloved ones, and tell them those who have given up thoir lives for others, and who sleep for a while iu our historic "acre," shall be remembored and eared for by tho women of England. Wo do not intend ever to forget all that has been achieved by such willing sacrifices. May the cessation of hostilities end in a calm and just peace, and a glorious era dawn for all mankind, especially for thoso who have taken such a wonderful part in tho struggle for freedom, justice and honour. God guide you all safely home. "Mrs. Sabvey would willingly for any mother whose son rests in our churchyard remember him on any special day, and see that his restingplace is cared for. She will esteem this a sacred duty, because 'each one has died for me.'" Sunhill, Boldie, Near Lymington, Hants., January 12. 1919. .