A HALF-DAY TRIP TO HELL

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3984, 17 July 1915, Page 7

A HALF-DAY TRIP TO HELL

FATE OF SQUADRON OF HUSSARS IN THE TRENCHES. “A half-day trip to belli : is the description Private Ernest Bolton, of tho 18th Hussars, applies to the experience of a squadron of tAventy-six of his regiment who on May S entered the first line of trenches, and were subjected to terrific bombardment for five hours by German guns. In a letter to his father in Huddersfield, fie says: “We stuck it as long as wo could, and then, when only nine of our number Avere left, the captain gave orders to retire. We ran to the next trench, occupied by the 4tli Dragoon Guards. The first person I met was Mr Buttenvorth.” (This letter reference is to a Huddersfield police-constable, a personal friend of his father and himself.) Buttenvortli lias referred t-o this incident in a letter to his Avife. He says-: “Young Bolton came bounding into'the trench ‘snowed’ upjby dirt cast up by German shells’ from the ploughed earth round the first line of trenches. He jumped plump into my arms. I recognised him, and offered him mv hand, saving. ‘Put it- there, lad I’

•Incidentally, Trooper Bolton records that Buttcnvorth’s rifle-butt had been blown away, and he was shooting under extraordinary difficulties, whilst his cap had -been, shot off and his coat hung in mere shreds. Strange to say, Bolton’s rifle-sighting gear had also been shot away.