From The Front

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 November 1916, Page 3

From The Front

Rifleman F. C. Astridige. cf the SJi Reinforcements, in a letter to lis parents, received this week, says that lie supposes wo have hoard! of the casualties by now. .New Zealand will get a surprise when they get them all— they arc worse than those of tile Dardanelles. and they total about 150 00. We had' been very anxious to get over the parapet after them. We did 1 well in our advance although we had a hot time of it. 1 thnk myself very lucky to be able to still write. I got right through the advance on the 15th September, but got caught on the 16th jiiist after we had got a start and on the go for a few minutes. I had niv rifle, which .1 was carrying on my right shouktar and a piece of shrapnel hit and broke it in halves. I got right pieces iin my right thigh, and I could net go on, but I managed to hobble out wth the aid of a stick for about two and a half miles to a dressing station. T think myself lucky to have done that for Fritz had a shrapnel barTage along behind us. I suppose you have heard of the "tanks." "Well they and the New . Zealnnders fairly put the wfind up on okll Fritz, they .scaled for their lives. No one can imagine what it is like ; it is hard to hear each other speaking for the roar of shells bursting around. I was a week before I got settled down in hospital. » I was moved about here and there in motor cars and it was not too pleasant riding although they were going slow. The roads were, very rough which would shake the cars up, but in one place we had to go eyes out. because they were shed'up the town. When 1 arrived in the hospital I was in luck's way again, for I was put in a bed next to 'Cass Ambler (who senilis kind remembrances ta all). lam not far from England now. I suppose that will be the next place ! will be shipped to. A week later lie .says that his leg lus getting on tip-top, but "I have to Igo under an operation to got same 'pieces of shrapnel taken out. but that won't be much. With Cass, Tam going to tryi and get leave to visit in England. Kind remembrances to all friends. Now in Biwkenhur.st hospital. Will is all right, I believe."