HOMEWARD BOUND

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1919, Page 4

HOMEWARD BOUND

Goodbye, and good lack, say we who remain behind for a time, to you who are now crossing to the Homeland for demobilisation. We shall not forget the times wa have had together. Some merry and bright: some sad : some spent in the line, some in billet, evenings at the Recreation Huts, and talks over the Camp Fire. Standing solid in a common cause, and as good a cause as ever man fought for, we have come to know one another, live for one another, love one another’. Neither shall we forget those who have given their lives for the cause. Within three miles of this spot there is a cemetery where lie the bodies of some 15,000 of our comrades, only one of the many cemeteries to be found all over the war area on this and other fronts. When we reach home, in every town and village we shall witness the erection of war memorials, inscribed with the names of those whom we knew before the war as fellow-townsmen, ' but who alas will never return. No, we shall never forget. We are determined, for their sakes, for the sake of their sorrowing women that the sacrifice they made shall not have been in vain. . At the moment wo ache for the sight of home : we are tired : we need rest: we want a holiday. After that what P ] Well, we know this at any rate. That things do not get better in this world automatically. Things get better when men and women make them better. 1

This then is our purpose, who have come through. “ As our pals died to destroy the bad, we will live to build up the good.” But how are we going to do that ? Soon we shall be scattering to different parts of the old country and its Dominions, and to all manner of-differ-ent jobs after our furlough ! What about making up our minds now that both on our holiday, and afterwards at our work, we will live at our very best tor the God above us and for the Empire to whose flag we rallied in her hour of need ? And so, lest we forget—lest we forget, in those hours of weakness and temptation which come to us all, we take one last loving thought, before the land ot France fades from tmr view, of those little graves, of some one particular grave where a special chum lies buried. And as we think we register a vow that God helping us, we will do our best bit to make the old country for which they shed their blood, a purer, nobler, happier, better place. At times we are apt to think that the task in front is too great for us. ft is then that many of us got inspira- 1 •ion from a verse of that grand old f American battle hymn, which we have >fteu sung together out here. » c

In the beauty of the Lilies Christ wa 8 1 . boru across the sea: With a glory in His bosom which transfigures you and me: As He died to make men Holy let us live to make men free. While God is marching on. That veise, with the alteration of the one word, seems to sound a stirring call to high endeavour. They are waiting at home for our return ; waiting to give us a royal welcome. Let us take back to them the strength, and sympathy, the spirit of comradeship and self-forgetfulness which we have learned out here. Let us show ourselves worthy of that welcome.