SOLDIERS LETTERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1919, Page 4

SOLDIERS LETTERS.

Private A; J. Sfiliiinon, of the 37th Reinforcements, writing to his mother, Mrs J/B. 1 Douglas, of Araliura, in a letter- dated 19th July, written at London,says:— I am in London again, just returning from a fortnight’s leavb', almost of which was spent in Ireland. To-day is probably the greatest day London has ever had. It is the day fixed by proclamation for Official Peace Celebrations. There is a general holiday and people appear to have flocked here from every part of England. The march of the troops has already- taken place. It consisted of representatives from every battalion of every nationality that took, an active part in the war. There were Belgian, French, Italian, Servian, Montenegrin, Roumanian, Grecian, American, Portuguese, and representatives of the Indian Empire, and from the British Dominion. Then there were the British troops and the 'sailors. The sailors and marines numbered 4000 alone. The procession took ithree hours to pass. • The crowd was a London crowd and a .monster, and probably the largest crowd London'has ever known. The route of procession was packed from one end to jjthe other. There was no bus or tram lor taxi traffic whatever, in fact so dense ,was the crowd that it was next to impossible to move yourself. I spent two and a half hours going round Trafalgar Square, looking for a seat. And it was only after the march lfad started : that I was able to raise myself into a position where I could see at all. Even then I could only stand it for about 20 minutes. I was clinging on to the side of a- building, the only grips beirg • small grouves in' the walls. After this however, I was fortunately able to secure a standing position on a corner of a raised doorstep. Here I was held in position by a gentleman and a .lady, but I was enabled to see everything. After a while I managed to find room to stand and for the last hour I was comfortable. London is one blaze of decorations — decorations so costly that many firms must have spent thousands of pounds in decorations. Public statues are being unveiled to the memory of the dead.

Last night I went for a walk through Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Street, and entered Hyde Park at the Marble Arch, walking through Hyde Park and coming out at Hyde Park Corner. The Park was very densely crowded. Public speeches were being given, and in fact everything is very flash and everybody seemed excited and happy. London is a jolly place just now. After ileaving Hyde Park, I went through St 'James’s Park. This Park is being done jup for the occasion.- It was vepy densely crowded. The decorations include statues' in memory of all the battles and representing the colours ol ; the various English Regiments. Seats ;are placed in gallery form along the whole distance. These seats will be let iat from £5 to 10s a seat, and those ■seats were booked long before they jvere ever built.

j The streets both last night and this morning were crowded with people selling flags, decorations and programmes. Then there are parties done up in fancy costumes, going round having a little fun. These parties include children going round with tins and sticks. These consider themselves drummers. They are after money.

Of course there is also the drunkenness that you see everywdiere on occasions like the present. But I must add I never saw' or ever thought that there .could be so many women drinkers in England. Parties of drinkers, half drunk, parading the streets were nearly as common as the men. The English people take little notice of this. Well mother, I could go on writing about other Parks I was through, and by the way, I have not once mentioned my leave which is just over. I spent nearly all my time in Ireland. Visited Waterford, Cork, Queenstown, Killarney, Tralee, Limerick, Dublin, Belfast, Coleraine, Port Rush, Grant’s Cbuseway,’ and. finally‘ landed down in Magherefelt for three days only. I expect to be leaving in a fortnight’s time, leaving England or say going home. lam not certain as I have not been home to camp, but I am looking forward to that.

Writing from Walton-on-Thames on Sept 10th, he continued:—

I think I have told you all about my last leave. Scotland is a beautiful country. lam now looking forward to getting away for a few more days. I am not certain where I am going this time, but I think it will be Scotland and the Cumberland Lakes.

I am leaving here for New Zealand on the 3rd Oct. At last lam definitely on a boat roll and my word I am glad. This means that I should be back in New Zealand for my 21st birthday. How different it is looking forward to this. Last year on my birthday, I cerubbed pots and pans in the Etaples mess room whilst it rained outside.' This time I hope to be more at home. I am back on Walton-on-Thames. I have just finished my work, and hope to remain here until I leave. I have a nice little cubicle. The onlyd isadvantage is that the lights have been taken out and I have to use candles.

I met Charlie Parham, an old schoolmate of mine at Hokitika High School. Ho also came over with me. He was in Oaklands hospital. Our acquaintance however, was but short lived. He, was removed to Devonport the same'week that I met him. lam looking forward to getting home on ,the same boat with him. I ,still do a little work .with my camera. It is a goldmine, and much of my money is sunk into it without much result. Still I ain learning, and have taken one or two very good pictures with it.

It is still summer, and the weather very good. The winter usually starts, I am told, about the end of September, and so I should be in New Zealand again and so miss it. Am I not in luck'. 1 missed the winter when leaving New Zealand, and I am missing it leaving this country. Anyway, I will get home at a nice time, and have no need to commence work until after Christmas.