Story of WWI sacrifice deeply moving

What a wonderful feature on the front page of today’s (Monday) Herald of Muriel Pelvin unveiling the plaque commemorating the 100th anniversary of Passchendaele. Such an amazing and personal story from a 96-year-old daughter about her adored dad. I found her story deeply moving. How did those soldiers do it? They went to fight for the freedom of our country. Men and young boys of courage and character. So many lives lost – and the survivors of those atrocious conditions – their lives were changed forever. Gone now, but what incredible fortitude and bravery. May we never forget them.

Thank you, Herald, for bringing to us stories like Muriel’s. True stories to inspire and hopefully which was 100 per cent Christian and as such the teaching of religion/Bible within our schools should never have been allowed. I stand by the assertion that state schools should not allow any form of religious instruction. Sam Long Timaru make us more aware of how we can make this world a better place.

I know as a newspaper you need to report the good and the bad but giving front page coverage to stories of past great bravery is so much better than dwelling on the political games of the moment. It is people like Muriel that are the backbone of our country.

Thank you, Herald, and thank you, Muriel, for your story. Geraldine urging affected households to go ahead and lodge their building consents while a low emission woodburner is still an option for them.

This letter was also sent to the Timaru District Council.

PHOTO: DOUG FIELD/STUFF Muriel Pelvin (nee Shadbolt), 96, told the story of her father Albert (Bill) Francis Shadbolt, one of three brothers who fought on the Western Front in World War I.