Ann Foster sends thanks for gifts from home

Miss Ann Foster, R.N., a native of Kingston, Kings County, and former superintendent of the W.K.M. Hospital; wrote home to thank the Town of Berwick, The Red Cross and Red Shield of both Berwick and Kingston for grand gifts sent that year. A part of Major Foster's letter of April 1, 1945 was as follows: “Last Christmas, when my parcels were sent to North Africa, I signed them over to a friend because I left before the holiday. The contents were distributed amongst my friends and patients and the list of donors was mailed to me. Unfortunately, I did not see that list. This Christmas, I did not get all my mail - my parcel from home never arrived. The ones that did were most acceptable. “We started our Christmas season this year by first giving a buffet supper to the volunteer Red Cross workers from this district. I had a party of 25 faithful women who have been looking after the Canadians since the first of the war, visiting the wards three times a week, doing the mending and taking patients to their homes. “Our children's party was a grand success. On the 23rd, we held an afternoon affair for 284 kiddies from the village from three to 11 years old. We all pooled our Canadian parcels, giving each child a bag of candy, two chocolate bars, nuts and gum. The little tots from three to seven each received a gift. These toys were made in our occupational therapy department by patients, staff, and even the commanding officer made a truck. We had a Mickey Mouse and Popeye film, a Punch and Judy show, Santa Claus and a chimney. Our menu consisted of hot chocolate, sandwiches, doughnuts and real ice cream and cones. “On Boxing Day, we had a tea dance for the patients and their friends. I just wish you could have seen them getting around on crutches, plaster casts and in wheelchairs. “Two days after New Year's, I went on ‘leave.’ I did not realize I was so tired until I stopped. Apart from all these activities, we were busy with patients. We are one of the busiest units. “To all, I send greetings and thanks.

Sincerely,

Ann Walton Foster

Major

Principal matron “ P. S. I forgot to tell you that we received 11 barrels of ‘Northern Spys’ from Nova Scotia. They arrived about the time that we got a convoy of patients from Italy. Needless to say how much they were enjoyed. We took the barrels right around to the various wards and let the patients ‘dig In’.”