HOKITIKA SOLDIER’S LETTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1917, Page 3

HOKITIKA SOLDIER’S LETTER.

Private Charles Harding, writing from France on December Gtb, to bis father, Mr Hanry Hording, of Beach Street, in the comae of his letter says : Just a few lines to lot you know that I am alright once more, and that I will be soon fit to go back to ray unit again. I must tell yon it wag a great day, when I got wounded. Ii was just like a day’s sport at Kokatabi. Frilz was running everywhere, just like a lot of rabbits running into th6ir bnrrowa. Those that could not gat away, cams running up to us with their bands up, crying for mercy, which they got in some cases. The day we went over, was on the 27th September. Canterbury weio ordered k> go over at half pant one, and I must say every one was in high spirits w&iting for the time. It came along the line right on the tick, so we

hopped.the parapet and started for our objective, the fust aud second line of Fritz’s trenches. It w.ifn’fc long before Fritz got his machine guns and rifle fire to work, so I must tell you it got pretty hot, especially when one seas his mateß faliiug around him. I got over to hia first line when he caught ran one, but it was a lucky one for m?. He pierced my right ear with a bulls 1- . It was close enough, but did not stop ms, so I weut ahead, but I had not got far when he bowled me over with a bullet in the right tide of the chest. That stopped me and I bad to get back the beat way I could which was not too eisy, but I got back alright and here I am fixed up ready for another go. I am sending you the bullet which was taken out of me, to look after for me.