Westward Ho

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2777, 22 May 1916, Page 6

Westward Ho

At 9 o'clock we were put in the train, and as we moved out we sallamed. It was the first time 1 hull seen anything fresh for 12 months. We were in a 3rd Class carriage, and it was not too bad as they put on the steam, which soon warmed up the carriage. We had a desent sentry with us; he said he was /near 50 years, and he'd a wife and 5 children. lie told us, "War nix goot, ■nix flesh, broat (bread), margerines." Well, as he was a desent chap, we gave hini some of our food. He did not eat it, but said ho would suvo it for his family. ,At last we arrived at Aachen on tho Belgium frontier at 4.30 p.m. Tuesday. We were then taken by car to a big building like an Assembly room, which was fitted up for a hospital. It was .a very nice place, everything clean, spring beds. We did not know ourselves. We had our food 011 plates, first time for months, and the food Ms pretty good. We were told we would have to pass a board, for exchange. We soon got settled down to cards, and they gave us picture books to look at of the war—German ones. Talk about cartoons of England, there was a chap come from another camp who said lie was down for the board in October and they would not pass N.C.O.'s; so two sgts and a corporal- that come from Wittenberg" went and distroyed every thing they had which would show they were N.C.O.'s. When the German took particulars thcy put themselves down as soldiers. There was a Sgt. Major of the 8.W.8. had a small crown on liis coat. The German asked him if it was a 60uvineer. He said "Yes"; so he put him down as a soldier. and through that he got home. There wero two or three sgto in awful condition. They all had stripes up, and not one got home, except one who was blind. There was a sgt with his leg off, and a L/ corporal with arm off; they wero sent back to a' camp. It was a stiff examination. Wo did not know results before Sunday.

At 2 o'clock some names were called out; they were to go back to a camp. Our hearts were beating then pretty quick until the roll had been called. Then at four o'clock somo names were called for hospitals for operations; then after, we all went back to normal. The rest of us were told wo should go away at 7 o'clock. It seemed hours to wait. The weaso was passed round not to appear too excited, or niako a noise, and thoso who had put it on a bit to watch theirsolves and not givo themselves away, for we know what they were. Well, soven o'clock came, up camo the motors. Wo were taken to a station, in a'nice warm room. There were plenty of toffs there to see us. Everyone was nice to us. There was a Cockney chap with us who had a model of a 6hip, what was carved out by a Russian. Some officers asked him what was the name of his boat. He shouted out, so as every one could hear him; Lusitania. We all had a smile to ourselves; but we thought they would say something; but nothing camo of it. "Free from the Germans." At nine o'clock wo were marchcd off in tens for the train. I expected to get in a ordinary train, but I was never more surprised in my life. In the carriage was'ten nice spring beds. Wo had to undress and turn in at once, sisters and orderlies helping those who were lame. Our clothes were packed in bags; everything was put away nice and tidy, jjy the side of every b«l was a Kttlo"tabl<* that would turn over tho bed. On the other side was a book rack, ash-tfay, and placo for <"'odrie° There were

plenty of room. The carriage was decor ated up nice, but there were too many photos of the Kaiser about and flags, looking-glasses, washing-place, cupboard with plates, basons, and everything up to date. Of course, it was all dono to give -us a good impression; also becausb we were going through a neutral country. At 12 a.m. we steamed out. \Ve were afraid to let ourselves go. AVe travelled through Belgium, reaching Brussels next day about dinner time, where we put off a lot of Belgiums. The train was inspected on tho borders of Holland by a big staff of Germans, but everything was alright. Then we went through Holland. Wo knew we were in Neutral country, but wo were still shaking. At last we stopped at a big station, and then we could see the Holland soldiers. Hero several people got on board, correspondents and War Office officials; but the be-st persons who got on were a couple of ladies, "English, who gave us a nice cup of tea and a new roll with such sptoidid butter on. It Was absolutely splendid. That wont down good. Then wo had fruit, cigars, cigs, and chocolate, also some English papers, which we wore gfed to read. It seemed so nice to have Tdnd peoplo to talk to you. ■ Well, w6~were afraid to amy to much at first, till one Gentleman said, "You're 'alright now; you wont go back again in any case." At about seven o'clock wo landed at Flushing; then wo were taken on board a boat, told off to our beds; then on deck to a supper— the best feefi I've ever sat down. It seemed so strange to have clean cloths, plates, cups and saucers, and good old white bread and butter. Well, up comes the Officer who was coming home with us, with both his arms off. He said, "Cheer up, 'boys; you are free now. There's only the water to go over now; you'are free from tho Getmans." Then we gave three good rid hearty cheers, and we let it go.. The Sgt.-Major, who iB a bit of a comic, jumped up on his bad leg and sang a song: and if the Dutch people wh'o were bringing us over had not stoppeil us we would have made a night of it; but, of course, we_ had to go to bed, though' tCere was little sleep for any of us. '

"Dear Old London" Again. At seven o'clock on December the 7th wo i sailed out of< Flushing for dear old London. We were siting down to a nice breakfast of Ham aiid eggs, when 6he started rolling. Well, most all on-board was sick. We had it very rough up to about two o'clock; then it calmed down. We had plenty of salutes off steamers coming up the Thames. After about four hours in the Thames we landed at Tilbury Docks. When coming in the lock there were some of the boys who gave us a few of the songs that had come out since the war. ,It was alright. We sang!, back the old song, "Tipperary" and •• "London Town." We left the boat wishing the Hollanders good-bye, as they were very kind to us, got on our hospitalXtrain, and then sailed for Victoria Station. When we got there we could not make it out to see •' tho young ladies dressed in uniform, doing this and that'for us—they could not), do enough. One young lady gave me si kerchief (a spanker!), another a bunch of violets, which I thought was the best of the lot; then;a drink of.milk. All the RJrls Riving us fag 6, and I believo the y would have kissed us if they were not cm duty. We were then drove in motors to Quean Alexandra Military Hospital where we arrived about 10 p.m., where • re. had a nice bath, a nice clean 6uit of v-ui-derclothing, then to a bed that was 6ooie- N thing beautiful. It took me a couple or flays to use •to it—everyone was so und too us, ladies taking us out. Ev« tything was most satisfactory, the Sislfers at the hospital doing anything that was possible to bo done' for us. I have now finished my tale, honir> 1 have not bored my friends with too" d- fiich nonsense. It will give you a little -'/deal what we had to go through. It will lie in my mind forever. I wonder if I cou id ever make friends with a German after now. I don t think! Of course therfe are things I've seen that I've not wrote n did n°t like to) as to some of the cruelties ■to the Belgiums when first taken: nrisoner. I've now finished—hoping th Ss'terrible war will soon be over, giv Ing us peace and victory. GOD SAVE THE KING.-