Christmas at the Front

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 71, 17 December 1917, Page 12

Christmas at the Front

CHEERFUL TIMES IN MID WINTER,

MICH summer, blue skies, Nature all in bloom. Father Christmas in New Zealand doffs his fur-coat, and sneaks from chimney to chimney in light flannels. Frost, snow, biting winds, fog, grey days and steel-cold nights— Christmas in England. You who aro basking out hero in the sunshine, lolling in your bathing-suits on tho beaches, running along tho blue, sunlit harbour with the wind abeam and full-bellied sails, picnicking in cool shades, givo a thought at this Christmas season to tho boys in winlorboufid Europe. What arc, they doing? Aro they having a good timo? Judging by their experiences last Christmas, it is safe to say that they are. Tn tho N.Z.E.F. "Chroiiiclo" of these festivo weeks in 1916, they tell their story of a Christmas merry and bright at tho front, on leave, and in hospital. They were happy.

"Christinas has come and gone onco more, the third since the war commenced, and 1 do not think that many of the boys wero disappointed, for in this part of tho world one docs not expect too much," wrote one. "AVo of tho Rifle Brigade, however, wero ablo to enjoy a splendid feast somewhere near Christmas Day. Of course, our trenches must be manned at all times, and those who had to spend Christmas Day behind tho parapet were given their Christmas dinner before going in. The mail sorters at the respective battalion stores have been kept very busy indeed tho past fortnight. Most of the boys received at least one parcel from New Zealand, while tho more fortunate received as many as half a dozen. Even 'Fritz' was not forgotten in tho preparations, and ho was given his share of Christmas souvenirs; one kind, 'plmn duffs,' was particularly suitable for tho day."

Ono Touch of Human Nature. "There are over fifteen hundred children, French and Belgian, somewhere in tho North of Franco who will havo joyful recollections of the iVouvelles Zelandais who spent tho third Christmas of the war with them," wrote another. Iu wTiose, paternal mind tho idea originated has not been mado known, but from somewhere the suggestion came that the Division should assume tho role of St. Nicholas to all the children in the villages close behind tho firing line which tho New Zealanders are at present manning. Forthwith all services co-operated in putting tho idea into execution, with the result that on Boxing Day tlio Divisional Theatre was filled with packages from Paris, containing every variety of toy to gladden the heart of a child. A great Christmas trco had sprung up in the night, and during tho morning burst into Christmas fruit and flower. About noon, the children from tho villages around about began to arrive, somo with their mothers, somo marshalled under their teachers, and some in buses, a vivacious; briglitoyed, chattering throng, sublimely indifforent to tho sound of tho guns

closc at hand, and wholly intent on the woudrous tree. What they thought about it all is difficult to conjecture; probably they accepted the day's delight as unquestionably as _ tlicy liavo aceopted the mouths of misery sinco August, 1914. Tliny were there to get as much enjoyment as the day offered and as many toys as might fall to their lot. "Tho arrival nf tho G.0.C., with sonio of his Staff officers, looking as benevolent as men can under brass hat's, was tho signal for the proceedings to begin. Tho No. .'i New Zealand Field Ambulance Orchestra, now detached for duty with the Division, struck up the "Marseillaise," which was followed by a short speech in French by the SousPrefect. Afterwards, Bishop Cloary, of Auckland, in khaki, with tlireo stars, appeared in the dual rolo of bilinguist and conjuror, and gavo an exhibition of opiscopal sleight-of-hand. Thero followed a few more items by the Orchestra and the Divisional Pierrot Party, and then St. Nicholas emerged from somewhere, and the fun began. "Et Apres." "To distribute dolls and drums, trumpets, and skipping ropes, dolls' houses and wooden horses, tin swords and toy guns to 1500 children, all expressing their wishes in a foreign tongue, is a task that is beyond tho power of one St. Nicholas, and it soon required one general, a colonel or two, several staff captains, and a number of unadorned officers, not to speak of a dozen or so sergeants, corporals, and privates, to cope with tho demand of tho youngsters. Most of them went oIF with" two or three presents, a very few tearful ones with Jiono at all. "Kor the next fow hours, down tho muddy roads and lanes of this clouded corner of 'Sunny France,' where moLor-lorries rumble by all day, and Maorilamlers march to and from tho trenches, there mingled with tho stream of military traffic groups of happy children homeward bound, each ono clutching some toy. If it was a drum, they were beating it; if it was a trumpet, they were blowing it. Snow Fights. "Snow fights are at piftsont fully occupying tho attentions of tho New

HOW THE NEW ZEALANDERS ARE FETED.

Zoalandcrs at tho front (wrote an engineer). Being more or less a novelty to them, they aro taking tho opportunity to indulgo in those joys which were denied them (through inconsiderately being brought into this world in a 'warmer place than Northern Franco) in thoir youth. One street in a certain village wo wot of is particularly dangerous for the unwary traveller, who is likely io be overwhelmed by live rounds rapid from several cleverly screened batteries. It was in this street that wo had the. pleasure of witnessing a brigade runner so cleverly cycle tho gauntlet that in the whole length he ivas hit by but a singlo missile, and which one was neatly caught on tho tin hat. Our fellows have evidently brought their war experience to boar upon their snow fighting, with tho consequence that tlieTr victims have to keep their eyes open, not only for tho direct 'whizz-bang.' but also'for the big howitzer ball, which is likely to deluge them from on high. Tho Engineers would like, to challenge For a snow tight on an equal footing that company of infantry which appears to have, nothing better to do than pelt peaceful working parties on their way homo from the trenches."

Christmas Cheer in Hospital. "It is all over, all a part of the past —only tho memory of it is left to haunt us in future years, the memory of deeds of valour and endurance, of suffering and pangs of anguish iu- tho regions of Mount Felix, Christmas, 1916 (wrote ono of the boys from hospital). Do not get the impression that 1 am about to tell the. story of a 'big push' or 'deadly night raid.' Oh, no; this is all about our Christmas stunt of big feeds and big deeds, of stupendous efforts at singing, dancing, acting, and ths wearing of fancy costumes and much greaso paint; of original and cuto ideas in the hanging of evergreen and the making of paper blossomsyes, even of uncomfortable feelings of complete fullness, heavy heads, demanding heavy potions of dope. There was a happy family gathering of about a thousand here on Christmas Day. all hailing from the land of the Kiwi, and we spent a happy day. Thero is no doubt about that, because everyone tried to make everybody elso happy; even the orderlies forgot to grumble for ono day in the year. Tho large amount of work in the making of decorations put in by the boys resulted in tho looking like fairy palaces, all more or less original and artistic, Wards 1 and 5 really being splendid. "Christmas morning we wero all awake early, seeking for Father Christmas's gifts, an<f all of us were soon in possession of a good present, provided by the W.C.A. The event of the day was the dinner—roast turkey, fowl, beef, and ham, plum pudding and mince pies, fruit, nuts, and lollies forming the menu, with a botlo for beer for each man just to tickle his palate. lam keeping mine as a souvenir. The staff men had their spread in tho main hall, tho sisters and nurses, who laid tho tab'os aud waited on them, plying tho

good cheer till every arm was aching. Toasts were drunk until the liquor ran out. During the afternoon there was a concert and a Christmas tree in the new Haeremai Clubroom. "In tho evening the sisters, nursos, and officers made their raid on the Christmas cheer, the staff men waiting at table, after which a concert was given by our troupe of picrrettes, whoso performance was excellent. Who would have thought such talent -would have been found amongst our sedate sisters and nurses? . And have you heard about the wax-work show, with every figure made to wind up, and Showman Trcvitch doing the boss business in a most professional manner. "Then we had a kinema play by the staff, called "A Soldier's Dream,"'_ a regular screamer, in throe acts, which, ■with lots of other frivolity, provided a ripping timo, and overyono was merry mill bright. The mistletoe act was a wash-out—censored! A "Tangi" at Brockenhurst. "Christmas Day with us was fine and ehoery," wrote an enthusiast from the Morant Hospital at Bockenhurst. "The men woke up to find a Christmas stocking on every bod filled with all sorts of things useful and amusing, provided by friends of tho hospital. On the breakfast table was a small bag for each containing a good supply of smoking material and sweets from Auckland ladios,'and the Adjutant and Captain Fcinvick canio in early to wish us, all a Merry Christmas. A splendid dinner—from turkeys to wine, sweets, fruit and crackers —was given to the staff and tho patients by tho committee of the hospital. The trustees of tho Moraul Estate, their friends, and some of the donors joined us at dinner in the messroom which, with tho wards, had boon beautifully decorated by thomon for tho occasion. A beautiful silver souvenir of Morant War Hospital was given to each guest by the committee and their friends, and all the dainty little packages added to the attractive appearance of the table. A number of toasts were honoured. "On the following Friday, the V.A.D.'s of Morant Hospital gavo the patients a. sumptuous tea and a bran tub. The tables fairly groaned, and

there was cako to last for a week nfterwards. Many of the men oamo to tlio party in fancy dross for the concert which they had organised among themselves. The musical items were. fine. Tho proceedings terminated with a very realistic Maori tangi, which introduced a, largo cooking pot on a tripod, with numerous gruesome bones protruding .therefrom. These wero handed round amongst the performers, and were apparently enjoyed, though I noticed tho dog refused to he tempted. A Maori wharo and a, real live- pig which squealed and grunted at just the right moment added to tho realism of tho scone, and much rubbing of noses and it fcarsomo haka wero indulged in, greatly to tho delight of our"English giiosts—not to mention tho real Maoris in the audience."

At Horncliurolt

".December 25 dawned here," wrote a Hornchurch man, "as I suppose it dawned all over tho country, but there could not have been a more expectant body of men than wero accommodated in tho huts and billets of Hornchurch. Breakfast was not greatly patronised. Humours of a sumptuous repast in preparation had been afloat, and wisely men waited for dinner. Tho two halls in tho camp had been converted into groves of hoauty by tho ladies of the W.O.A. and the sisters in the camp. Dinner was served at twelvo o'clock, and it was a merry-looking gathering. The hon-bous had provided masks and hats in plenty, others produced whistles and squeakers which mado the air weird with noisos far from musical. Balloons floated over tho tables, and tho feast began. Turkey is generally served in cautious proportions, but not Iso at Hornchurch. The plates were filled to overflowing, but tho men, used to tough jobs in various parts of France, wore not dismayed at tho task ahead, and it wasn't long ero plates were being replenished. Plum pudding and raince-pio followed. A glass of ale or lemonade, or, if you insisted on boing fastidious, a 'shandy,' was always available, and muscatels and alrnonds completed a magnificent dinner, but not tho good things. Tho chaplain, who is never happier than when ho is among his boys, was provided with a gift for ali. Each man received a, wallet containing writing material and a souvenir match-box holder. Then the officers provided cigars and personally distributed thein. It was impossiblo to realise wo wero so far from homo, all wero so happy, and it was such a pleasant hour."

With the Desert Troops on Palestine Border, "Christmas Day was, of course, a quiet oue, but we lived well, as Colonel Samuel camo up several days beforo and brought us a, turkey, a goose, and two chickens," • wrote a man just after the fight at Rata. "We had a good Christmas dinner; in fact, several good meals. It is wonderful how well we arc fed out here, and the men are as fit as can be, aud very cheery. . . . We have had somo very heavy rain hero to-day, just enough to wet most of the men's things. It rained last night also. However, that sleeping bag you gave me is a great success and seems as right as anything and beautifully warm. .Padre Williams took an early service tin's morning; it was to hiivo been on Christmas Day, but he was called away to El Arish to the hospital there to attend the wounded." A Merry Christmas! That this Christmastido with our boys across the seas may be as merry and bright iis it was last year is the best wish of us all. To the boys at the front: "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"