BATTLEFIELD FIND

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 113, 6 February 1919, Page 4

BATTLEFIELD FIND

AN INTERESTING INCIDENT.

An interesting incident, of the war is told in a letter which Mrs. Albert Roberts, of Will? Street, Ashburton, received by the last Home mail. It reads as follow :—

Mavlongh, Ballinasloe, . C. Galway, Ireland, 16/10/18. Dear Mts. Roberts,—l enclose a pocketbosk belonging to one of your relatives, whioh I found on the battlefield during the month of September. I found' it just in front of Havrincourt Wood, near the village of Thescault, a short time aftpr the village was caphired by my division (the 37th). At the same time your men were operating on our right near Gouzeaucourt.

I would have sent the book to you immediately, but knowing that my leave was not very far distant, I decided to keep it until' then. I trust your relative only lost his book, and did not meet with an acoident—Yours faithfully,

J. P. HEGARTY, Lt.. R.F.A. The-pocket-book belonged to Private A. W. Roberts, who was taken prisoner on September 1. Apparently he had the presence of mind to drop the pocketbook on tho ground to prevent it* seizure by the Germans when they searched him. It was full of interesting letters, photogranhs, and war "souvenirs," together with his fountain pen. The incident of.its recovery adds to tho interest of its history. Contrary to the experience of some, Pi-irate Roberts, when captured, was given an immediate opportunity to send a postcard to his people, telling tnem of his misfortune, special printed postcards bein? supplied by the Germans for the purpose.—"Ashburton Guardian."