SOLDIER'S LETTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1918, Page 4

SOLDIER'S LETTER.

Cor pi W, A. Smith, M.M. writing to his parents from Brockenhnrst Hospital, England, on August 17th, says:—

I have had a week off with a bad knee. Whatever came over the jolly thing Ido not know. I tried to go out on parade this morning to the bull ring, but it was more than I could mauage, and here I am resting it sitting in thegloiious sun of Prance and everything seems very quiet today. No one would ever dream that there w r as a war on, only at night when old Jerry takes advantage of the moon. He must think we like his hard-boiled eggs. The boys got the wind up him a few nights ' ago with all sorts of flares after him and a barrage of shrapnel about him. He took a wise course and turned back. Over on his side must be simply hell now; for our aeroplanes just go over in droves in the day time, a< well as the night, and he only comes over when the moon is bright.

Jack Irwin is still in the same camp as me and I would not he at nil surprised if he does not hi ml aboard and get back to New Zealand shortly. I saw a oliap to-day called Bill Weston who used to live out near the Araliara School, and also another chap named Empson. His father was too Stock Inspector in Hokitika a few years ago. So we. are a merry party of a night. There is a bush picture palace which was organised by our padre, and very nice pictures. We have been having real good pictures which pass these long evenings very nicely, and the Y.M C.A. has got a big marque where there is something on also. The French are terribly busy getting in their good crops which is a record season, and how they can get the staff saved beats me, for there is hardly a living soul to be seen in the day time. I think they must work in the moonlight. Well I think those parcels and oapers of mine must have gone west from New Zealand and also from Blighty. I have had three letters from Blighty lately telling me that they had sent parcels which are still coming like yours, so I think that the best plan will be not to send any more.

Writing on Sept Ist, he says T am feeling grand although my wounded ankle makes me grind my teeth now and again, but I consider myself amongst the few lucky ones that survived last Sunday’s tight — one I never will forget in a life time. My Battalion faced death like real fighting soldiers. Old Jerry had machine guns about every yard and it was just like going through a hail storm, and still no one faltered. The charge we made was much better than we do while out training and intervals, and still the Hun kept to his guns, and the Canterbury boys of 'the first Battalion had the least , prisoners of all. What we did have whs plenty of enemy dead. I bayonetted about 20 myself, and there was a chap in my section who beat me, but for the day I came out a winner, for war is war and we are out to kill at every opportunity. It’s all right taking prisoners if they give themselves up in the proper time, but those Jerries tried to run back to a stronger position, I was properly j mad when about 20 Huns bopped out of a trench which was being taken by the 2nd Company, and I after them. They got the lead on me, for l had a fair load up and they had nothing on, so I just levelled my rifle and potted a few off before they got into the bush. The fog.saved a lot of lives for New Zealand that day, besides a few Jerries. It was 4 p.m. when a piece of high explosive stopped all ray greediness towai’ds the Hun. I got hold of two sticks and hobbled away back to our dressing station which was a good mile and a half away. I collapsed about 200 yards before I got to it, and a machine gunner cai'ried me the rest of the journey on his back. There 1 happened to met Mr Colin Macfarlane’s son. I did not know him but lie seemed to know me and he said that Billy Macfarlane was enquiring after me and goodness only knows just before the stunt we were within a stone’s throw of each other and did not know. That is how we are situated in France, regarding seeing each other. I have been through two operations so far and T do not think I will have to go through any more, for it is looking quite nice to-day. Will be hopping about in a day or so if the doctor will let me get out of bed. but T am not going to be in a hurry to get back to France again. 1 am going to let- some of these chaps on the base jobs who have never fieen France yet do a hit, and if T get a chance to blow them up I will. It’s a good war to quite a few of these chaps, especially the New Zealand Blue Caps. If a chap has done his bit in France and comes over here on 14 days’ leave he has to pull out his pass a hundred times a day to these flash soldiers of New Zealand. They get on ray nerves properly. I did two days in the clink, but it was what I wanted so as I could get back with the boys for the stunt, and 1 landed the mustard but did not want \ this what I have got. There was only three in this ward on Friday when I got caviled in, and to-day it is full up, 44 cases, and some very bad ones too. It seems awful to come back to this brown bread after beautiful white broad across the pond. The weather here is pretty chilly towards morning, but 1 did not notice it in France. I never had time. All we bad was our water proof sheet. It used to be * onr blanket mattress and even a table cloth at times, when the rations had to be cnt np. There Ims been a New Zealand ’mail come in fo-day. All the Sisters and Nurses got theirs, The boys will get theirs after it has been across to France and back to the Base Post Office.