LETTER FROM REV. FATHER DORE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1482, 7 December 1915, Page 2

LETTER FROM REV. FATHER DORE.

The Rev. Mother of St. Mary’s local convent has received the following interesting letter from the Rev. Father Dore:— “Military Hospital, Devonport, England, October 20th. Dear Rev. Mother and all, —I wonder what you will be saying about me. I am writing myself to allay any possible doubts about my recovery. The doctor’s latest verdict, given yesterday to my brother, was, ‘he’s progressing very well, and beyond all possible danger.’ Now, what will you say, especially as now I may mention that twice they expected ray death—once on my way here, and again a couple of days after my arrival here—but prayer has power unknown, and I attribute my life to-day to the prayers of my many friends, and especially to the school children. As you must know, I was wounded on August 22nd, and arrived here somewhere about the end of the first week in October. Since I came here I’ve done well, have had many ups and downs but now I am very near the straight road to recovery. I was wounded in the spine by a rough, shaggy Turkish bullet, which made a big unwholesome trail. Fortunately for me it knocked the spinal ver'dbrae about but didn’t touch the spinal cord (the latter occurring I should be long since growing grass or sea-weed). My body, from where the bullet entered to the feet, was paralysed almost completely in most parts, but now 1 can use my legs and every part except my right foot, which, I feel confident, will get right in time. The process of getting better is a slow one and I don’t expect to be able to leave for home at Christmas. However, I don’t mind that, for I expect from the day I leave here I shall have six months leave. When that is over I may have my leave extended or be returned to duty or N.Z. I have the very best of attention here, I want for nothing and couldn’t be better treated if I were a prince. Please ask the Segriet’s to enquire how Mrs McGrath’s son is getting on. She lives in Seatoun. I was Introduced to her by the former. Her son received two nasty flesh wounds in Gallipoli and was lying out a long time. I luckily tripped over him one night as I was searching among the dead for our wounded. Gave him the Sacraments, dressed his wounds and took him to the nearest relief station. I heard no more of him and would like to know it alright. Had I not happened to find him at that time he would probably now be among the missing or dead, for a few hours after the Turks were all over that same place. Well, this is the longest of the very few letters I’ve written. Give my best wishes to all friends, the nuns at Palmerston and Masterton, and tell them how lam. I still need all your spare prayers, as I have yet a long time to spend on my back. No letters or papers from N.Z. since July.”