SOLDIERS’ LETTERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1917, Page 1

SOLDIERS’ LETTERS.

INTERESTING NEWS. Mrs R. Cropp of ICoiternngi,. has kindly placed at our disposal a number of letters received from men at the front, from which we have been permitted to make the following extracts:— FROM W. E. COOPER. Mr W. E. Cooper, of Kokatahi, writing op April 27th said : It has now taken a turn for the Letter and we have had a week’s good weathei, and it has been perfect to-day. I have been on fatigue all day helping to' fix up bombing bays. . We have been in this camp three weeks to-day. About 000 of us, 17th, 18th and link’s marched here from Sling, about 18 miles, as we are drafted into this new Brigade and the week following 700 of flic 20th s came in and shall be up to strength when the 2lst-avrive. I saw Ted Joj before wo left Sling. He was well and looked as' though the sea trip had done him good. Most pi the lOth’s went to France seven weeks ago, but many of us were detained on account of being isolated with mumps. We left George and Jack Smith at Sling. They may not get to France at all, as I do not think they will pass tlie medical inspection. George is in the Bugle Rand and Jack is on fatigue. It is much pleasanter here than at Sling and the drills far easier aiic. we get more time to ourselves, and the village of Codfovd is only a tow hundred yards from our lines, so we go in every night to one or other of the Institutes. There are big Tommy and Australian camps here too, so the district literally swarms with khaki. There are two or three hundred German prisoners in one of the Tommy camps. We passed them one day this week, while out on a route march. They were pretending, to work in the fields digging, but were too intent on watching us to do much work and yet they get paid so much an hour and get just as good food As the boys. _ A' Last Sunday I - collected 52 Coast boys from round the different camps to get a group taken, including Lieut T. E- Y. Seddon apd Lieut Ford of Greymoutb, onr Platoon Commander, and after going to all the trouble the photographer did not turn up. Can tell you I was wild, but am making another attempt next Sunday, so hope we shall not be. disappointed. There are such a lot of our Coast boys here—Tom Ecclesfield, Jack Waugh, Billy Sl\and, Ted, Albert and Bill Toohey, Jim Downey, Jjilly Warren, Gordon Bell, Sid Holley, Frank Wrobleski, Bob Cain, Fatty Morris, Mick Mcßride (from Okarito), Harry Brown (from Blue Spur), Sergt Holder (from Grey), and dozens of Grey and Brunner boys. The place seems full of West Coasters and you know how clannish the Coasters are too. ’ What a hit Hokitika made with the ra'ees at Xmas, ft was certainly a record meeting. I expect by now that Ned and Ron Smith are in camp. There cannot be many boys left in the district. Thank you ever so much for the buudles of papers which have come to hand. Bert Redmond was here when we arrived, but he left for New Zealand by the “ Athenic ” a fortnight ago. He looked well, but had suffered in the trenches with bis kidneys, so was rejected by a - Medical Board as unfit far further service. Harry Fulton is bating n to an oftioer in Sling. He seems to have little to do and has a real good time. He has a motor bike and side car and lias had quite a number of holidays. We may get.another four days before going overseas, being a new brigade we should get draft, leave again. The country is beginning to look very "pretty and ' the flowers and shrubs are beginning to. make a nice show, To-morrow (Sunday) five of ns are gojng for a walk through the villages, if fine. It will be pleasant to get out of camp. FROM PRIVATE ,1. STAXKEY. Writing from Sling Camp-on April JGth, Private J. Stankey says : When opt for a walk cm Sunday we saw a flying machine that cam.e down to the ground a bit sadden. Np.cnTO got. hurt but the machine got a bit damaged. It was Jnekj’ lor the men they were close to the groiknd when the engine stopped. They were just coming down to land at the t ime. The day before this, one qame down rather sudden about 10 chain from this one.' It got, smashed in places so it bad to be taken id pieces and taken away in motor lorries to the

repairing shops. One man was killed and one got off with a few cuts and a shaking. Men are getting killed nearly evei'y day at flying. J have put in for a transfer out of the Group Band to the Motor Ambulance Corps. They are asking for men to take on motor driving, so I put in for the game. There is one yard full of motor lorries, about 500 ready for use, besides what they have in daily use. This is only one camp so there must be a lew thousand motors in use at present. One thing is short, and that is food. The canteens are crowded every night, all the boys buying some supper, tea and cakes, ham and eggs, etc. I hope it will soon improve and get a little more tucker and hope New Zealand is not short of tucker. I had a letter from one of my mates in another camp called Codford, about 17 miles from here. They were shifted over there to make room for the rest of the reinforcements to come into this camp. He said the tucker was worse ( than onr camp, not as much bread over there as we get in ours. Tom and W. Young have shifted to Codford so they will have a good idea of Codford. G. Steel is not too good these few days. He has a bad c Id, It is a great place for colds. Writing* on May 4th, he continued:— I have seen all the boys of the 22nd’s from Kokatahi and Jim Woolhouse fro ji Ross. They all look well and the weather is keeping fine here this last few weeks. .1 in/Woolhousa n going into the Bugle Band, si G. Steele will have a mate. Private George Steele writing; on May Bth, says : Well, thank God, we have got spring at last, ’ Jack Smith and I are both lying under the trees enjoying a pipe aud writing. We are still trying to get over to France, but they will‘ not let us go yet. It is rather hard getting this far and not; being able to get any further. There are three bands already to go over any time now, so we may get there yet, as I am afraid it is going to last a long time. I met Dr Doctor the other day and he is looking well. T hardly knew him. He told -me I looked well, but »■ little. Jill in.' well I have never been anything else, but I can still eat well.