A SOLDIER’S LETTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1917, Page 4

A SOLDIER’S LETTER.

Writing from “Somewhere in Franco” in 29th November “Hughie” Linklater says:—Just a few lines to give you some idea as to our doings on the Western Front. The X.Z. Division, as you are no doubt aware, is just now holding a part of the line. Compared with the stirring times of five or six weeks ago. we are having, a fairly quiet time. Wo arc glad to welcome the fine stamp of fellows coming with the later reinforcements; they compare well physically with anything here. We feel like old stagers seeing them coming up brand new, but a few weeks of trench life soon knocks the nowncss oft'. I was glad to meet many Wfest Coasters among tho recent arrivals, ond I wbnt along the front lino with Tom Stowart yesterday and found Bob Stowart, Jim Johnston, Bill Douthwaite and other Coasters; so that we had quite a gathering of Coasters. They are in good form, though the cold is a bit severe. We are well clothed, howover, and provided with woollen gloves (tho men in the trenches have sheepskin ones), leather waistcoats, also plenty of underclothing. So that you see we are non short of comforts. Another boon is a change of socks every day, if we requiro them. A man goes round each platoon every day supplying each want in this direction—you can guess what a comfort this is. The cold weather keeps appetites very keen and the rations get a rough time. We aro now within reach of civilisation, however, and can buy additions to our fare. We aro living in comfort compared to the conditions obtaining early in the war—but the life is not one which would inspire a poet. The daily routine is a draft sort of business, and we would welcome the victorious end at any time. No man on earth ca pretend to prophesy the end, though we know that Germany is foiled in her purpose. I wonder how the casualty lists are affecting recruiting in New Zealand. Surely volunteers will pour in to fill up the gaps. A man who will not do his best in some capacity is a traitor to the memory of our gallant dead. You have long since had all current war news, and I am afraid that this is not a very newsy epistle. Give my regards to all friends.