“JUST LIKE CHRISTMAS”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 October 1940, Page 4

“JUST LIKE CHRISTMAS”

GIFTS RECEIVED BY SOLDIERS. NEW ZEALANDERS PLAYING PART OF SANTA CLAUS. In a letter to a resident of Masterton a soldier with the First Echelon in Egypt expresses deep appreciation for gift parcels received recently from New Zealand. The following are extracts from the letter: “Our gift parcels arrived some days ago. amidst tremendous excitement, and were duly handed out. It was just like Christmas, with thousands of good people in New Zealand playing the part of Santa Claus and handing out good cheer to 6,000 deserving cases. Most of the men had been up in the desert for some time very fit. working hard and not much comfort. You can imagine how very welcome your gifts were. All our parcels came from good old Masterton and as a one-time Pahiatua boy it was like’ getting something from home. . . . 1 write to you to express our deep gratitude to all the good people of the Wairarapa who must have spent muett time and money and loving thought in making up such welcome gifts." “USEFUL PARCEL.” CONTENTS MUCH APPRECIATED. “The parcels from the Patriotic’Society were delivered this week, writes Gunner H. H. Williams, a member of the First Echelon in Egypt, to a Masterton sender. "I happened to be the very lucky recipient of your most useful parcel'. Everything enclosed was in good order and most acceptable. The tin of tobacco was a wonderful treat after smoking the poor quality tobacco purchased here in Egypt. I received your cake and note inside. Not only myself but the four others who shared it were unanimous in declaring it the best made and freshest cake they have tasted in the Middle East. At the time of writing we are camped near . at a place where comforts are few and therefore the arrival of the parcels was easily the most exciting event that has happened here. I know you would like to hear that all the troops are in good health generally and having. when conditions permit an enjoyable lime. Our yearly leave has commenced, which consists of a fortnight's leave in Palestine or Alexandria. . . . Thanking you sincerely for your care, thought.' time and money in preparing the parcel."