WITH THE COLORS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1918, Page 4

WITH THE COLORS.

FROM TRENCH TO MEDICAL QUARTERS.

Writing from Codford in Christmas week, Rifleman Marplerecounts interestingly of bis experiences with the colors. He says:—“l was very pleased to hear from you and get a little bit of news from Hokitika which always bobs up in my mind as tliejbest little place in New Zealand,'even though the sea comes over and it doesn’t forget to rain. I will be glad when the time comes for us all to sail for God’s Own Country, so dear to us all over here. I thought once just alter I received my wound that it wouldn’t be Jong before I would,be enjoying life in New Zealand again, but I recovered too quickly, so will have to remain on this side until luck comes my way again. ' • , Well, it feels like ages since I left, and things with me have changed a bit. lam getting more like an old soldier. I often think what a lot of good it has done some fellows. Others of course go a bit crook, but taking things all round, the soldier’s life makes a man of you. Our fellows over here are ; by the English folk and a’ll who come in contact with them, as being real good fighters and gentlemen. I don’t want to blo ( w about the New. Zealanders, but we have ’a lot to be proud of. In one of the London papers the other day it was admitted that the New Zealanders were as good as the .famous Cold Stream Guards as a'fighting unit. The Guards are said to be the best in the British Army so j r ou can understand that we do our best to keep up the name that has cost manj r a good fellow’s life.

Here at Cod ford convalescing I am doing well, and am able to assist with'the camp work though not fit to return to the trenches. I have comfortable quarters. Start work at 6.30 a.m. and finish at 7 p.lll. My work consists of giving out medicine to fellows dt sick parades. The dispensary is not a large one. There are forty.or fifty stock mixtures and necessary drugs, tablets*, ointments, etc. Anything special has to come from London. Everything runs verj r smoothily and it is much nicer than a front line dugout in France. -My experience, in the line last winter doesn’t make me want to go back in a hurry. You couldn’t believe what the fellows have to put up with. As for fighting, very little goes 011 in the winter compared with the springy „But our boys always get the wind of Fritz wherever they go—give him no grace at all—and you don't want to either. - . At the dispensary certain drugs are prohibited because of shortage and cost. Notices are being sent along continually drawing attention to different drugs that can be used in place of others difficult to procure. Thermometers are * very scarce; and the makeshifts poor, but we get along all right. Cotton wool, dint and dressings are hanging out well, but there is a shortage of the good lines. Jack Sinclair who used to travel down the Coast is here also. We often have a chat,, recalling old memories. I missed Dr Doctor in France. I only discovered his whereabouts to be wounded the next day and then off to Blighty. A soldier’s life on leave is a good one. East time I was on leave in Eondon I put all my-nights in at entertainments: The Maid of the Mountains ; Romance ; Seven Days’ Leave; Behind the Eines; A Pair of Spectacles ; and several- revues, etc —all good plays. I enjoyed them i verj T much. You can have a real good time in Loudon if you have a good friend and a guide. It is real good for enjoyment, "only in most colonials’ eyes you have to be careful and awake to majij’- things, and then you get along. splendidly. Literature here is a great treat, and I wish New Zealand 'was'•-nearer to send along many good things. Punch is as good as ever. I send you the latest. s Here is a good joke in this Department—l must send it on to Punch ! It happened at-sick parade the other morning. A Tommy camealQngto the Medical Officer for advice. The Tommy was a bit deaf, it should be explained. M.Ok *' Are you married Tommy?” Tommy: ‘‘Not only, that, sir, I suffer also from nasal catarrh.” The laugh did us all good for a soldier’s life is not a happy one, but we find ourselves more often than not laughing and joking. By the way Stevenson in the pathological department here was at the Westland Hospital once, and knows Hokitika well. He is doing fine and has a good job. He wishes to be remembered to those who can recall him. It’s a bit late for Xmas greetings to get out in time by letter, but I wish you all a merry Xmas and a prosperous New Year.’ Hokitika will see me in due course after the war.”