VISIT OF PADRE BLADIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1973, 6 May 1919, Page 2

VISIT OF PADRE BLADIN.

IT has probably fallen to the lot of few men to be made the subject of a petition to the military authorities, asking that they in particular should be sent to the front with the boys of a certain reinforcement. Such, however, was the unique experience of Adjutant J. S. Bladin, of the Salvation Army (who is to

speak in Foxton to-night),'who left New Zealand as the padre of the 19th Reinforcements. Padre Bladin went into camp with the 9th Reinforcements, hut his departure was held back on numerical, grounds. On learning of this fact, the men of the

l!)lh Reinforcements intimated to (lie Defence headquarters that they were prepared to change their religion to that of the Salvation Army in order that Chaplain Bladin should be attached to their number. Captain Chaplin Bladin was stationed at the base at Etaples, also at Polygon Wood, and on the Belgian and Flemish frontiers, the bulk of his work being done at the base hospitals and casualty clearing stations, and at one of the largest-Sal-vation Army institutions in France, of which he had charge. Ultimately the padre's , health broke down, and he was invalided homo in Aug-' usf last. He was back in camp, however, waiting to be sent again to the front when the armistice was announced. The Padre’s visit to Foxton should be signalised by a bumper house in the Town Hall tonight, as a tribute to the man, apart from the movement which occasions his visit.