SOLDIER OFFERS BLOOD TO SAVE COMRADE'S LIFE.

How the offer of Warrant Officer Charles McFadyen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alick McFadyen, of "Kildonan," 63 South street, Ascot Vale, to give some of his blood to a comrade was an offer in vain, was described in a letter received in Melbourne recently from 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, France. Sergeant Baxter wrote:-

"To-day Mc Fadyen, our Warrant Officer, made a great name for himself. Last night we received a patient shot through the abdomen. He had lost a lot of blood, and when morning came he was very low. Captain E. H. Barkitt, a Sydney surgeon, of the 14th Field Ambulance, after an examination, stated that the only way to save his life would be to transfuse blood from a healthy man. McFadyen at once volunteered to allow a pint of his blood to be transfused into the patient's veins, and his offer was accepted. "McFadyen and the patient were placed side by side in the operating theatre," Sergeant Baxter continued. "The surgeon cut into McFadyen's arm, but just about this time the patient died.

McFadyen's noble act was very much appreciated by the surgeons and men of the unit. After having had several stitches inserted in his arm, it was dressed. Then he went on with his duties as if nothing had happened." Warrant Officer Charles McFadyen is an old Scotch Collegian. Before enlisting he was a Customs officer.

SOLDIER OFFERS BLOOD TO SAVE COMRADE'S LIFE. (1917, March 29). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 6 Edition: Morning.. Retrieved May 6, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74602117

FROM THE FRONT.

In a letter received by Miss Maude McFadyen from her brother somewhere in France, the following extract will be read, showing the good work done by the Red Cross near the battle front:-

"Amongst some of the clothing I obtained from the Red Cross stores for some of our wounded Australians, was a case of shirts, stamped Essendon Red Cross, so you can rest assured that the efforts of all the good ladies of the Essendon branch are being well appreciated by the boys who deserve them. "

FROM THE FRONT. (1917, October 25). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 4 Edition: Morning. Retrieved May 26, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74604126