WHEN ONE IS WOUNDED.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 July 1915, Page 7

WHEN ONE IS WOUNDED.

PLEASANT ILLCSfOXS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, July 12. The. idea that the sufferings of wounded soldiers are ajlayed by pleasant illusions is conveyed in a letter written by j Mrs. A. C. Purchas, of Auckland, whose death on June lo was recentlv reported. Writing on May 10. from No. 17 , tieneral Hospital, Alexandria, to a friend in Auckland, Mrs. Purchas suggested that a portion of her letter might be published as she thought it would prove of 'great comfort to friends of dead and wounded soldiers. " I want you to tell the people that the spot at the Dardanelles where the lives of a great many of our dear men were sacrificed was an exceptionally lovely one," Mrs. Purchas wrote. "They lay scattered over a field of beautiful flowers, and strangely enough, if the flag of old England was not spread over them, yet beneath them wore the red. white and blue, poppies for the garland of sleep—shall I say moon daisies for dear strong lives, bright blue blossoms for heaven and peace. I always feel God sends special comfort to the wounded. Lying on the battleship now, a captain and a young lieutenant have told me their experiences. The first as he lay all that night amongst the flowers, fancied his wife and children were near, and that his three little girls' were filling their pina- : fores -with blossoms and bringing them to him. He felt quite comforted by their J companionship. The young lieutenant, after suffering much ' from his severe ' wounds, seemed to feel the red. white i and blue flowers stiffen themselves up j and raise until he lay on the top of the standing (lowers. Then he seemed to be floated along the field on top of them till they slipped him gently down into a cool stream, the. water running gently over hjm to his great relief. They both sav these experiences did not seem to 'be dreams. The boy lay from five o'clock till next morning before he was 1 picked up I>y tile stretcher-bearers and taken to a dressing station."