WEST COASTER'S EXPERIENCES.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1918, Page 3

WEST COASTER'S EXPERIENCES.

IN RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN

Sergt." Thomas McLean, brother of -Mrs T. Shadbolt of Ruatapu, writing to his parents Mr and Mrs McLean of Cape Foulwind, mentions that he vs with the Now Zealand infantry in Russia. He volunteered for service there while he was in Codford, England, and been on the move ever since. “You will bo surprised,” he says, “when I tell you that at present I am in Russia, away up in Northern .Russia in the Kola Peninsula, right in the Arctic region. It is commonly known as the ‘land of the midnight sun,’ as the sun never sets for three months in the year from about Juno till August or September. “If you look at the map of Russia you can easily find Kola, and then you can see for yourself where we are. To be more exact, it is in Finland. “Wlio would have thought, when T left you all in 191 A that I would find myself in Russia. There is no doubt owing to this war, I have seen over half the world, and am still likely to see more. Well, we are here to reorganise the Russian Army, and up to now arc doing well. We have formed a Slav-Biritish Legion and are getting quite a large number of recruits.

“They are joining us in large numbers and it won’t be long before we will have a good army ready to take the field again. “Mv job is to help train them in | the arts of war, and I find it very interesting work. We have been here now three weeks anil so far it has been very quiet. The other night we raided some houses in which were a lev German and Bolshevik spies. It was really good while it lasted, and I am looking forward to some more of it. “When we just landed here ,some of the people were*against us. Of course it was only German agents at work, but wc soon gave them to understand that we would not stand any nonsense. Since wo arrested those few spies, the people have come, over to us, and things are alright again. “I have not seen any darkness tor this last 3 weeks. The sun has not set once since wc arrived, and they sav it keeps daylight right- up to the end of August. It is just the reverse at Christmas time, only about half an hour's daylight, so think of me having I my Christinas dinner with a candle or I lamp.” The writer at the time of enlisting

was working at Camerons, and previously ‘was at Ruatapu and Ross. H*>

was the third son to leave. One has

returned, Private Walter McLean (who received a compound fracture of the t ight arm). The other, Private Charles McLean, one of the Main Body was still at the front-.