SHELL SHOCK SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1922, Page 2

SHELL SHOCK SOLDIERS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I was reading an article re the above in your paper to-day, and I must say that I didn't like the latter part of it. It concerned a soldier called Sam Pudney, whom I happen to know, having been a long time with him in hospital. He is a man to be pitied not punished. I happened to be in the Victoria Ward and also in Lowry Bay hospital, and I know what he went through. 1 was one of the men that helped to look after him in those places, and I can I would rather have my wound t'nan the complaint that he is* suffering from. We spent restless nights in Sir Francis Bell’s House with the same man owing to the least noige disturbing him. I met him 12 monfhs after we parted in Wellington, and I found him still suffering with the same complaint, and my opinion is that he always will be ill. If that man is put in prison it would be a shame to humanity, for before the war he was a young gentleman and a good tradesman. That proves what the war has done to thousands of others who were heroes then, but what are they now? Why not compel him to remain in one of the Government institutes for a certain time, such as Hamner Springs, not to any of the places where there are hotels handy? I know for a fact that when he came back from Hamner Springs he was ten times better because he had good treatment and no beer. I intend to write to Sir Francis Bell on his behalf, as he has seen him in Lowry Bay Hospital, and I am sure he could not forget him, as he was a iqpre wreck of a man. If that does not answer 1 will put it before the association, as I think prison would kill a man in his state. I see the doctors’ version where they say that he is not responsible for his actions. I can prove that myself, or I can v give you a dozen prominent ladies* names who can vouch for the same, they having been V.A.D ? s at Lowry Bay during his stay.—l am, etc., CURE NOT KILL. New Plymouth, March 20.