NO LONGER LONELY

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1940, Page 3

NO LONGER LONELY

NEW ZEALANDER IN EGYPT FLOOD OF MAIL ARRIVES

Once "The Lonely Soldier"— NoW( the envy of the Anzacs in Egypt as "The Adopted Son of Australia and New Zealand!" That is how it happened:— 8676, Private Pred Fleming, of the 4th Field Ambulance, was the subject ot a "Local" in the Auckland Star some months ago, recording the fact that since he had been in Egypt his only mail had been a nole from the Income 1 ax Department. The "Local" was reprinted in papers through New Zealand and even found its way to Australia. The result was that he had received, up to August 23, over 90 letters as well as parcels of all sorts and descriptions. Like the true son of Anzac, however, Fred has not kept his good fortune to himself. Finding it impossible to deal with all this huge mail himself — though doing his best— he has passed on a number of them to other Lonely Soldiers" . . . and the parcels have been shared around. The whole episode. however, expresses admirably the kindly spirit of the peoples of these two sisterDominions — Australia and New Zealand.

Many Letters Arrivc. Describing himself at the moment of writing as "Shirtless, breathless, and stickily moist, saved from floating out to sea oh a high tide of the sweat of his own brow only by dint of securing himself to the chair with a large towel and countless sheets of blotting paper," Private Fred writes that he is just recovering from "a severe attack of nervous prostration — result of 70-odd letters and five parcels arriving suddenly out of a blue sky . . . " 'Wondering what the heck,' you say, 1 was stunned. About 20 letters had already arrived by air mail and had been answered. including a dozen or so from Aussie. Well ! It seemed to me at first that my only hope was to open a weekly column. To reply suitably to all who wrote would devour my entire wages for weeks to come— most of the writers want photos, too. However, I m doing my bcst to see that every writer gets a reply, if not from me, then from some other 'lonely soldier.' "The mail was a record one, the biggest yet to reach the camp. It was splendidly handled by Divisional post. though, and deliveries were made almost every day for a week. A real red letter week . . . Christmas, New Year's Day and a win over the Springboks all at once could hardly have been better. For over three months we have been receiving only air mails. From Norfh Cape to Bluff. Private Fleming records in regard to his own mail, that letters came from people in all walks of life, and from almost every part of New Zealand, from the North Cape to the Bluff. "The tables were turned," he writes. "Other chaps had to watch this time while I drew letter after letter. I was astonished, of course, for I had not expected mail. Certainly not 70 odd letters. "The par was published In Australia also, and about 12 letters arrived from interested people in Sydney, while there were indications of many more to come. Among the writers were a veteran soldier of the South African campaign, who opened his cheery letter with the traditional greeting oi the East; a sister nursing in an importqnt North Island hospital; a lady journalist and a married couple managing their own farm in the far north. "Another veteran soldier of the last Great War, whose years had diminished by over haif in his efforts to join up again and 'be with the boys,- wrote: "I'll see you in Cairo in a few years' time." "Just one of Family." "Without exception, the writers expressed genuine sympathy and friend- . ship. 'We want to treat you just as ] one of the family. Please think of us as such, and treat our two youngsters 1 as brother and sister. We will write to you every week, and we'll send you anything you need;' wrote one couple. Another lady said; 'We will think of you as one of us. Whenever you may return, as we hope and pray you will soon do, there will always be a welcome for you at our home.' "Nearly everyone was willing to do all they could to brighten the life of the Lonely Soldier. They offered to knit, to send parcels of good things, books and papers. Some had already done so, I received five parcels. I am only sorry that the exigencies of active service prevent me from corresponding regularly with all who wrote. Much as I would like to do so, I am afraid it would be hardly possible for me to maintain .such a big list of pen friends." In thanking his many correspondents for their generous action, the soldier states that all letters he is unable , to reply to himself will be handed on to a welfare officer or padre so that they may be given to other soldiers who do not get much mail. He adds that none of the parcels and papers sent will be likely to go astray, for they will be shared with his mates.