The Armies In France

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 October 1916, Page 2

The Armies In France

ACCOUNT OF THE PARTS REVIEW Bugler Enoch Coppin. son of Mr James Coppin, of Catling, l>iinedin, and brother of Miss Coppin, of Messrs Stiles and Matheson's staff," 'Levin, writing recently gives an account of the recent big review at Paris. Ho was one of the twelve picked to represent his brigadie. and savs that, considering tlie. brigado wi>s 5000 strong, it was hard to ±"11 how how he should have been one of the fortunate ones. Speaking of the welcome in Paris, he says the populace went almost crazy, throwing flowers and cheering the troops all the way along the line of march. At the barracks thye were formed into a massed battalion, representing tho troops from every British corps in tho field. There were eight companies, the order being GrenadierGuards, Scots' Guards, Rifle Brigado (English), Irish and Welsh, South Africans and Indians, Canadians, Australians, New Zealandors, and Newfoundlanders. The first night they were not allowed' outside the barracks but the sight of the men at the windows soon attracted a big crowd, and throughout the evening gifts were received from below by means of pieces of string. On the day of the review they paraded at 8.30 a.m., and; marched through the city to the place—a distance of two miles. Besides the British, there were the French Russian, and Belgian troops, each having a representative battalion. General Joffre ami 1 General Bruegan were present and tho march began two hours after the troops had been drawn up. The Russians wore marvellous and it was apparent that they and the Australians and New Zealandere wero general favourites. At ono stage of the men had to walk on roses showered on the roadi. Altogether some four days were spent in Paris, and the writer gives interesting impressions of the places he visited during the time he had leave. On leaving Paris the troops had orders on no account to break ranks, but before half a mile was traversed it became impossible to advance in fours, and they went on in single file . Even then the success was not complete, for two miles further the girls and women absolutely mobbed them. First it was a kiss, then an embrace, and hugs." The last two miles, kissing every step, oo- ' cupiod an hour and a-half. Bugler Coppin concludes his description by say that they reached tho station at last, and he sounded the "Retreat at Sunset" as they left.