GIFT AMBULANCE

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVII, Issue 21, 27 January 1943, Page 4

GIFT AMBULANCE

FOR ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE. AMERICAN GENEROSITY.

P.A.

WELLINGTON, Jan. 26.

"This gif't ambulance was made in the United States and sent to New Zealand for the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a memorial of the1 most practical kind to a New Zealand officer who lost his life on active service with the R.A.F'.," said the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, at the presentation yesterday of a gif't ambulance to the R.N.Z.A.F by Mrs Marcla iShort in memory of Flying Officer Michael E. B. Macasse.y, son of Mrs •G. H. M. C. Macassey, St, Clair, Dunein. Flying Officer Macassey made the supreme sacrifice in A.ugust, 1940. and his aunt, Mrs Marcia Short, of New York, N.Y., desiring to perpetuate his memory, decided to present a memorial amibulahce to the R.N.Z.A.F., and set about raising the sum required for the construction of a suitable vehicle. To do this, she sold meals at her apartment in New York, and after considerable effort had set aside 800 dollars, A short account of what she has been doing was published in the British War Relief Society Bulletin, and as a result, Mr F. K. Hos'cail, a New York resident, keeniy 'interested in the society affairs, realising her sacrifice and earnestness send a, cheque for 900 dollars- to the society, to enable Mrs Short to fulfil her aim. GENEROUS INTEREST. "This remarkablc story is but oue example of the generous interest and aid which the people of the United States, and particularly of those associated with the Anzac Division of the British War Relief Society have shown towards Now Zealand," said Mr Fraser. "Mrs Sliort has been a member of the New Zealand Society since its inception.. I should like to take' this ©pportunity of expressing gratitude on behaif of the people of this country for the gifts of this kind and others which have been made in the past by the Anzac Division of the British War Relief Society. Their generosity has incieed provided still further evidence oi the close bonds existing between the people of the United States and New Zealand. "This ambulance is to' be allotted to an Air Force station where New Zealanders are training for overseas service," said the Prime Minister. "As it stands in rcadiness to aid the injured it will serve to commemorate not only the sacrifice of D'iying Officer Macassey, but also the very commendable spirit of practical patriotism which inspired irs donor." Mr Fraser said the story of how the vehicle was bought provided an ' example of what people could do by ! way of patriotic effort when their resolve was strong The Minister for Defence, Mr Jones, also spoke.