WITH THE COLORS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1918, Page 4

WITH THE COLORS.

By Chas. R. H. Parliam, 37th Reinforcements.) (Continued.)'

Sling.—We have been pretty busy lately with our “ field training.” 1 am glad to say that we have done with the “Ball Ring” that’s the worst part of the training. You know that there, you have to “ spring to it ” all day, and move at “140 to the minute.” We now go out in battle order. This consists :—Web equipment, gas respirator, tin hat and rifle. The web-equipment is a belt, two shoulder straps or braces which carry ten cartridge pouches (each of these pouches holds three clips, of fifteen rounds). On the left side is slung the bayonet and entrenching tool-helve (or handle) and on the right, is the wafer-bottle. The head of the ‘ trenching tool ’ acts as a “chest protector,” as an Irishman would call it. (It is worn behind, and makes a good seat when yon sit on the wet ground.) The gaspirator (small box respirator) is slung in front, and covers the two front pockets of your tunic. The tin hat weighs a bit, but makes a fine seat also.

They have had ns out on all kinds of “ stunts ” —battles, trench raiding, relieving trendies, patrols, outposts and advance guards, as well as ordinary skirmishing. Last night we had io act as the protection to an imaginary army. Our company represented a battalion. We posted reserves, supports and picket lines. The “picket” lines supplied screens, patrols and sentry groups. ‘Very’ flares weie tired from pistols when signalling had to be done, such as recalling 1 the screen or covering party, etc. The flares make a bright illumination and show up everything on the ground beneath. Flares sent up half a mile away threw a strong light on us, so you could easily see who a man was. I could write lots more about fhis sort of thing but liavn’t the time or the inclination.

The “spiel” of the Crown and Anchor would amuse you. Their “ gas” is somewhat similar to that of t.he Yankee “ cheap Jack ” who sold spud peelers in Christchurch, at the Agricultural Show. The “old man ” enters and says: —“ flow’s for a game on the lucky old board, sports?” “Come along you lucky punters!” “ This way for the lucky old Crown and Anchor!” Just a little game of “ hide and seek.” We hide and you find, you pick and we pay ! You come here in a soap-box and go away in a motor car. Come along you lucky punters! ” The game is an illicit one, and soldiers are forbidden to watch it, much less take part in it. Of comse the “old man” always comes off best. The odds are all for him. As you can guess, it is a rowdy game. It is said that strict measures are being taken to put a stop to the game.

We have been through our musketry; have also been through live-bombing, using fully loaded hand and rifle grenadps. Last week went thro ugh a course of Lewis gunnery. It is all right. The gnus are better to fire than rifles. iSiext we are to go through the “live gas.” This week we are on field stunts—firing live rounds, attack practices, covering fire, skirmishing, outposts, patrols, trench raiding, and the rest.

Sept 12th—I am now looking forward to getting leave in a few days'. We know nothing definite, but hope that there won’t he more than a week to wait. We went through the poison gas yesterday. In order to test our masks we first went into a chamber or room full of gas. This smells nice and reminds you of pineapple. It it gets through into your mask your eyes run, but no harm is done. In the whole business there is nothing t.o “ get the windup” over (i.e. funk!) Some “coves ” rather dread throwing live bombs for a start, and a few do silly tilings such as, throwing them without, removing the safety pin, so they can’t go off. You know the pin holds down a lever When it is removed, the pressure of the hand around the bomb holds down the lever. When the grenade is thrown the lever flies off and allows the firing pin to strike the cap, thus lighting the six-second fuse which sets off the detonator and explosives. We Coasters are contemplating going in a mob into the Lewis gunners. Some stunt! I like the gun far better than a rifle. Have heard we are getting leave on Wednesday, Sept ISth. Sept 15tli—The war news continues to be extremely good. The Yanks appear to be doing splendidly and have got the Huns properly on the run So perhaps it won’t, he long before yon see me back again. I feel cpiite at home in England after having received so many kind welcomes from all quarters. The only trouble is to find the time to visit even a few of the places. By the time you get this, vve will he having winter. At present, lioweve?’, parts of the camp are blasting with beds of beautiful English. flewei’S- Somehow they gj’ovy very

much better here, barring the Honey Pot or Budlia, Snapdragons, Stock, Nasturtiums, Poppies and Pelargoniums—a Geranium with beautiful large trumpet-shaped flowers—and lots more. There are lots of these pretty portulaccas, with pink flowers, like we had in the garden, but. these here have flowers of a great many colours. England is a very beautiful place, as I have said before. Probably I won’t find time to write again until 1 return from draft leave. I have applied for my ticket to be made out for Padstew. (Cornwall.) Thus I’ll be able to break the journey at Exeter, and other places in Devonshire, on my way there. Afterwards I intend going straight up to London, finishing up with Suffolk, Sussex and Kent, if I can get time. I must now get back to the hut to clean my “gear.” Please remember me to all.