A CHEERFUL LETTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1917, Page 4

A CHEERFUL LETTER.

FROM SERGEANT LINKEATER, M.M.

Writing to Mr Griminond, Mayor of Ross, from France on 20th August, Sergeant Linklater gives a cheerful view of the outlook on the western battlefront:—

“Just a few lines to let you know I’m still going strong. You will have read full accounts of all the doings of our Boys this summer iu the Big Advance, so 1 won’t enlarge on that. Since then the work lias been of a very strenuous nature, as the Huns do their best to make the new positions as uncomfortable as possible. The weather unfortunately helped in this. For a month or so we had wretched weather, and the mud in the mew trenches was unspeakable. In the face of all discomforts and desperate counter attacks, our Boys held 011, and with a cheery self-effacement that should bring a blush of shame to the precious shirkers. I wish them joy of their thoughts—also their posi"-' tion when the war is over.

Things are going finely on this front just now. improved weather conditions making further progress possible, and we’ve been ' getting encouraging news the past few days Our artillery is great and their concentrated fire makes anything possible. Our airmen have been giving Fritz, a bad time and when our American Allies come along with their thousands of planes we should be overwhelmingly superior in the air. Hun hopes of starving England by their.U bqats seem doomed, so that we are waiting to see how Wilhelm will next try to put heart into the public of German}". We worked some time ago for a few weeks with one of the" French Armies, and fine hospitable fellows we found them. We have also met many of the crack Brititish regiments and it is,fine to note the spirit of them. There isn’t a doubt about winning in the eye of the British Tommy. w - Our Maori footballers played a team picked from the Welsh Guards, and beat them to the tuneof 31 to 6.

We are receiving a lot of attention lately from the Huns who come over on bombing raids. On a dark night our searchlights soon pick the planes up, and they look like huge moths in the brilliant’ light. Our anti-aircraft and machine guns join in giving them a warm reception and get good work in, bringing several crashing to earth. The scene on these occasions is like a fireworks display. The bombs are hefty affairs and one can easily imagine the havoc they make when dropped in the centre of densely packed cities. You will have read of the many losses the West Coasters have sustained . We mourn the loss of these splendid fellows, but true to their memory will carry on cheerfully to the end ol the struggle. There seems to be no end in sight yet—but the issue is beyond doubt, and when we come home we hope to leave the work finished for all time.

, Please convey my regards and cheero to all Ross friends and also to any you may see in Hokitika.