A SOLDIER’S LETTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1917, Page 3

A SOLDIER’S LETTER.

Corporal Henry Williams, writing to his father, Mr H. Williams, of Park Street, from Hornchurch on December 29th, says : As yon will observe from the address given above, I am still at the Hornchurch convalescent camp, but I intend to report as fit on the first gymnasium day after the New YearThen I shall have a fortnight’s furlough, then a fortnight in Codford and Sling respectively, and efter that a fortnight at the Ecaples training camp. To-day I seem to be getting another bout of influenza; otherwise, I feel perfectly fit. While on furlough, I shall probably board at the New Zealand War Contingent Association Offices at Russell Square in London. I Lave received three parcels from Pascals and this firm hus asked me to notify you of this fact. The cake sent by you Borne months ago arrived recently in very good order, and is now only a memory. Everything comes to him who waits. Some oi my letters may turn up after pehce is declared ; one of tbe cables sent anent my wounding in September his turned up. It is only a matter of time till the two unaccounted ones will make their appearance. On Christmas Day, we had a jollification : roast goose and pudding for dinner, and a pantomime for oar amusement. We were not allowed to go anywhere during Christmas time, and neither shall we be allowed abroad daring the New Year. Oa Christmas Day we were allowed leave from noon, Messrs Massey and Ward were down here at the opening of tha dry canteen, and spoke of what New Zoaland has done and what she will do. Where did you get the idea that New Zealand had 30,000 mea in the field ?

We started the battle on the Somme

with 12,000 men and were reinforced with 3000, thus giving a total of all ranks, including artillery of 15,000 men. As a brigade consists, when at full strength, of 4000 men, and as New. Zaaland brigades are never at full strength, and as we had only three brigades in the fight, you can easily see how far your figures were wrong. Seeing also that, as a matter of plain fact, forces are never relieved till they

have suffered sixty per cent of casualties, and that the New Zealanders were relieved, their casualties must have been nearly nine thousand. Most of these occurred at tbo capture of Flers on Sept 15th.