WITH THE COLORS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1918, Page 4

WITH THE COLORS.

By Chas. R. H. Parham, 37th Reinforcements.)

English Channel, Saturday, July 6th, T9IS (Continued.)'

The next morning we were taken for a route inarch in our shirts and shorts. The O.C. inarched us for about a mile through the nigger quarters, and then marched 11s back again on to the main track. The tangled piles of rubbish, timber, machinery, etc., was not a very nice view. The niggers were very tickled to sec us in shorts, and rolled-up sleeves. After walkinghalf a mile (about) under the coaling plant with coal-dust dropping thickly over us, and after we had stood (while being numbered off and organised into platoons) where great clouds of coal-dust kept blowing over us from the loading plant, we looked nearly as black as the niggers themselves. The dust we walked through was about two feet deep and was very powdery and dry. It was not long before we were exceedingly dirty and thirsty. We were very glad when the rain began to fall. Soon it came down properly and soaked us through. You can imagine what dirty roughs we looked, marching through the main streets of the town. On the boat and in Trentham many songs were made up (i.e. “ I Want to Go Home”; “When This Cruel War is Over”; “Salvation Army” and many variations of a ditty, called “ Inky, Pinky, Parlez-vous ”). The Yanks were plainly surprised and amused. We were in an awful state when we got back to the boat. We hosed down our boots first to get off the coal. Then we had a hose-bath on the deck. To this I added a “bath” in a basin of fresh water. While this was going on the ship was “ casting off.” She was balked out of the harbour by two tugs “ Alice” and “ Delaware.” It would be impossible to imagine what a curious sight it was to see long files of men scrambling over heaps of coal, and “cat walking” along planks under a huge avenue of over spreading steel girders. The echoes were weird, when the men whistled or shouted. It is not n healthy place for drunken sailors (or soldiers if drink were obtainable, which it is not) for oesides pitfalls and heaps of coal, and hawsers and ropes, there are lots of pieces of coal continually dropping.

Leaving Newport News we passed many strange ships, aiid many which were curiously painted. Many miles out we passed a couple of strings ot pontoon barges on which were railway trucks. Lots of wreckage was floating about. The guns were loaded and guard set. Saw three or four round floating things which were thought to be mines. I had a pretty bad stomach ache after leaving port, and many fof 11s had dysentry. I had this for ,over a fortnight. Probably the wafer we took in caused this. The ice creams and drinks (soft) are deadly, I think, and would advise everyone to steer clear of them. I may not have mentioned before that tve have to supply a submarine guard, which is supplied with glasses, rifles and ammunition. They have to wear their overcoats, balaclava caps and lifebelts. 12th July.— Am writing tin's from Sling. Got here safely alter a pleasant trip. I like Sling Camp. It is very strict, but smart, and the tucker is extremely good. It is a long way ahead of the New Zealand camps in cooking, varietj’ and saving. There is no waste. No smoking was allowed on deck alter seven o’clock. All port-holes had to be carefully kept shut (they weie previously painted over with black paint). We all lelt the cold. Presumably the cold was caused by the “ cold wall ” (the Labrador Current) for later when we were well out in the Atlantic and could see gulfstream weed floating in the sea, it was much warmer. Saw a good number ol ships. The next day (22nd) we sighted land just before tea, and it was not long before we were in Halifax Harbour. There is a great difference in the way the Yanks do things, and the British. The Yanks do a lot of bustling and running about, but the British (pilots, for instance) quietly do their job and waste no time. We waited half a day outside Panama, and a long time outside in Hampstead Roads, then had to wait nearly two days in Newport News. 011 arrival at Nova Scotia we steamed straight ahead, were met by the pilot who boarded us without stopping us. Then we went straight to our dock. It was pretty cold at Halifax. The next morning was Sunday. It was cold and misty and we were marched ashore to church. The nearest, church was St Matthew’s Presbyterian Church. We went there. I do not know what the reason was. Perhaps it was want of time, as we got there just when the service was about to begin. Perhaps the Y.M. man made the arrangements. I don’t know.

Halifax is a very pretty place: the town is built on low hills, which rise from the harbour or river. There are large numbers of bright green trees. Spruce, common maple (not sugar), birch, and trees which I could not find the names of (these had white flowers on long spikes ard the large leaves were like horsechestnut leaves, for they had five leaflets on one stalk The trees hid the buildings from the harbour. All we could see while coming in on the port w r ere some hills on which grew woods of pines etc, and at the foot of which there appeared to be a plantation of thickly growing young trees. To the right of this (straight ahead) the hills continued and there was a screen of trees here which almost concealed the town. Afevv spires and chimneys appeared. The shipping also was verj' indistinct on account of their camouflage. On the starboard side there was a chain of low hills, with scattered clumps of trees on them. At their feet the town of Dartmeuth stood. Nothing much to be seen except chimneys and some refining works. On account of the Daylight Saving Act, we were out of bed pretty early. 5 a.m. After dinner, when we returned from church parade, leave Was granted from rjo to 9 p.m, really xa.3o to S p.m, There were

a number of fine old churches and old buildings. I was greatly struck by the difference there was in the cleanliness of the streets here, and of the diTty streets of Newport News. Went all over the show, and saw the terrible destruction wrought by the explosion. Nothing but cellars and foundations were left to show the place where there used to be a very pretty part of Halifax. Even the streets are obliterated in places. I went to church at St Paul’s English Church, built in 1749. I told you alb about this in another place. The next day we were given leave but had to have dinner on board, and report. I had a good look around this St Paul’s Church. Saw many tablets and hatchments inside. A gentleman kindly let me write a couple of postcards in his office, and had quite a little yarn with me. He gave me a couple of Halifax papers, and also kindly gave me some chocolates, which I have saved a couple of cakes, first in case of submarining, now to be used, when T tramp over to Stonehenge ou Sunday. Also he told me of places of interest to go to. Arnulale he recommended. I intended to go as far as I could into the country in the afternoon, but as another fellow came with me we did-not get much further than Armdale. However, I enjoyed myself.

We first hopped on to a tram which was just about to start, paying 5 cents each on boarding. This fare took us as far as we liked to ride, but as the track ran round the town and in a loop towards the arm •1 the sea which stretches away inland (called Armdale) we hopped out at that place. We passed over the Canadian railway here on aline, single-span concrete bridge. Soon we were passing through a wood of fairly big Canadian trees (spruce, maple, birch, etc) on our way to a boathouse. Obtaining a Canadian canoe we messed about on the water and loafed away a good deal of time. We then paddled across to the other side where stands a Memorial Tower. This tower is on a little hill, and is guarded by two bronze lions in front and by, I think, six old field guns. Inside this there are slabs of stone from all parts of the Empire. On Lhesemre carved the Coats of Arms of each Colon}' etc, from which the particular stone came. New Zealand had a very striking picture ol a Maori and a woman with a pair of scales. Below on a shield were three rampant clubs, digger’s tools, fesswise, and couchant, a war canoe ; also sheaves of wheat, wool and bullocks’ heads were displayed on the scutcheon.

A very pretty view is to be obtained after climbing three or four corkscrew ladders. I got some birch bark and a few leaves. I enclosed these with a book of cards of Halifax. Walked through some very pretty country 7 lanes between trees and stone walls. Had a short yarn to an old man. He was pretty deaf so I did not get much information. Boarded another tram and got back to town and rode right through to the railway station at the further end of the town for a.Vd. There are a good number of lady conductors on the cars. Went through the railway station and saw how a huge roof, over the yard, had been brought down by the explosion. A railway worker took me round and showed me through the fine big Canadian Pacific raihvnj 7 carriages. I also had a look at the I.C.S. school car (International Correspondence vSchool). This was filled un with all kinds of machinery and is shunted about the country to teach the pupils of this school, in all districts, the practical part of engineering.

On Tuesday afternoon we left the harbour. Tne weather was very “ nippy.” I got a sore throat, a cough and a cold, so did most of the others. Luckily I bought some gargle and cough tablets in Halifax, so I did not have to parade sick. There were eight other steamers and about five destroyers. One of the steamers was converted into an auxiliary cruiser. She had a surprising lot of guns on board, and carried troops. A big crowd of Yanks and Canadians and Australians went with us. We were a tough crowd and would have given “ Fritz ” a run for their lives. We ran into a thick fog off the Newfoundland Banks. The ships made a great row hooting and whistling. Many precautions were taken, for our boat is worth a fabulous sum and the cargo is worth far more than a million. We struck some pretty rough weather and the other boats dug their noses continually into the sea. I guess the other troops had a bad time. The Canadian nurses who embarked at Halifax and the new passengers had a rough “ spin.” The tucker 011 board improved immensely after leaving Halifax. We got splendid fish a couple of times a da}' (we got a cook on board from Halifax) whereas previously some of the crowd got a touch of ptomaine poisoning (I think) from eating fish. We now heard that the Czar of Russia was assassinated. Soon we got into a very dangerous area and special orders and precautions were taken. I had slept on deck since leaving Newport News so was “set” in case of accident, also I took special precautions of my own (i.e. warm clothing, valuables and something to eat, as well as overcoat, water bottle and life belt). The destroyers “ galloped ” round 11s like collies round a mob of sheep. July 4. —Yanks obtained permission from the flagship to celebrate Independence Day. I had great sport trying to pick up the signals. Of course I could not read the meaning of the flags though I knew the alphabet. I also read some of the semaphore, am getting quite expert. sth. —Sighted ScilV Isles. 6th.—Landed at Royal Albert Docks. End of trip. Am well and enjoying England. Kind regards to all friends.