DISABLED SOLDIER'S MARRIAGE.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 5 January 1917, Page 2

DISABLED SOLDIER'S MARRIAGE.

A happy sequel to a story of suffering is tlic marriage of Private Chapman, who had lost both his arms and had been a prisoner of war in Germany. When war broke out Chapman resigned his membership of the Corps of Commissionaires and re-enlisted. He was severely wounded at the first battle of Ypres and captured by the Germans. White in the hands of the enemy both his arms were amputated and he was afterwards sent back to England.

At Roehampton, where he was sent to await artificial limbs, he was visited by a former girl friend, whose pity turned to love for the disabled man, and she consented to marry him. The marriage was celebrated at Roehampton Church, a guard of honour being formed by a body of soldiers who were themselves minus a limb. With their crutches they formed an arch beneath which the bride and bridegroom passed on their way to the altar.

By permission of the authorities the wedding breakfast was served in the hall of Queen Mary's Hospital. Mr Walter Long, Secretary for the Colonies, has taken great interest in Chapman's case, and has shown his practical sympathy by providing the newly-married couple with a residence on his Rood Ashton estate.