N.Z. WAR GRAVES

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1932, Page 5

N.Z. WAR GRAVES

SUPERVISOR’S RETURN.

AFTER 18 YEARS’ ABSENCE.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 31

Returning to New Zealand fort the first time since lie left with the Main Body in 1914, Air A. W. Mildenhall,, who since 1919 has been representing New Zealand on the Imperial War Graves Commission in Gallipoli, France and Belgium, arrived at Wellington to-day by the Malania from Sydney. For the past thirteen years Mr Mildenhall has been superintending constructional work, in war cemeteries abroad. He said that with the exception of a few isolated cases, the graves of New Zealanders and all British soldiers in Gallipoli, France and,Belgium wore well looked afer, and in excellent condition. The few isolated cases where graves were neglected were in French civil cemeteries. Mr -Mildenhall personally superintended the erection of a memorial to the New Zealanders at Cliunuk Bair, where he was stationed for five yea y>, The constructional work and graves nt Gallipoli were in excellent condition. Although no flowers could be brown, indigenous shrubs had been. planted. These were growing very well. The monuments over the graves were constructed of stone that came from the game quarry that supplied the stone for the walls of Troy. After leaving Gallipoli, Mr Mildenhall was stationed at Albert, on the Somme, for eighteen months. From Albert, he went to Bethune, later be- j ig transferred -to Alsace-Lorraine, where lie sUperinteded the construe- , tion of the cemeteries of the British I prisoners of war. - | Mrs Mildenhall, who is an expert French and German linguist, has been j associated with' her husband in the work since 192(1. During the war, j .'loni 1916 to 1919. she was a nurse, ' and attended to many New Zealanders j in hospitals on the racecourse at i Rouen.