LETTERS FROM THE FRONT

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 1 July 1915, Page 2

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT

THE following letter to Mr R. Screaton, of Helensville, has been received from Lieut. Fletcher, Auckland Battalion, dated from Deaconesses Hospital, Alexandra, Egypt, May 19th, 1915.

It is with deep regret that I write to inform you about the death of your brother, who was killed about 11.30 a.m. on the morning of the Bth inst., in the operations at the Dardanelles against the Turks. Ido not think anyone has felt his death more than the men of his Platoon, where he was a great favourite with all.

It was about 10 30 a.m. on the morning he was killed that we got orders that the New Zealand and Australian troops would advance against the enemy, who were occupying a position on a ridge about 1000 yds in front of .our trenches. We had gone something like 400 yds when we came to open country where we were exposed to a very \heavy rifle and machine gun fire. I, myself, got hit in the left wrist and right thigh, and was lying in the open, wounded, when your brother came along with his men, and laid down a few yards on my right, calling out a few cheery words and saying " not to get down-hearted." He had just given orders for his men to push along, when a bullet struck him in the head, poor fellow, it was all over, he died a gallant death leading his men, and, being a friend of mine, I thought I might write you about his end.

The following interesting letter from the same source, but dated 22nd May, has been received by Mr W. Ryall Fosbroke :—

Just a line to you before the mail leaves to let you know how I am faring in Hospital. Well, I am getting on splendid, and am happy and comfortable, so I cannot say more. One thing puzzles me most, and that is, the way we are treated here, for this Hospital is a German one, and all our Sisters are Germans, but, my goodness, they are good and kind, cannot do enough for us, and with the attendance I have received I hope to leave Hospital in a few days. After leaving hospital they are sending all the officers into private homes for a while before returning us back, to the seat of operations, so by then I should be quite fit again. My hand, of course, at present, is useless, but the bullet wounds have healed -up, and my leg is splendid, in fact, I have done the Highladd Fling once or twice. You see our casualties have been heavy, especially our Battalion. One thing lam proud to say, and that is, we have done our bit if we never see another shot fired. I have written to Lieut.-Screaton's brother, poor chap, you know after he got hit it finished me; we used to make our dug-out together, something like a rabbit hole, as a guard against shrapnell and rifle fire, and often joked about our entry into Constantinople. The ■ day we first went'ashore was on April 26 ; until then we had been at a place called Lemmos (an island belonging to the Greeks). We landed at Gaba Tepe, about. 18 miles north of Cape Helles, and a splendid reception we got; we were shelled right and left, but on we went. I saw men drop all round, but never a.man stopped who was able to go on, and that was where we gained cur success. Our New Zealanders and Australians fought splendidly. I finished two days after our landing with about 25 of my own and a lot of Australians. We were all t mixed up, but in a few days we managed to get to our own Battalions. After fighting about eight days we were sent to Cape Hellas, and that is where I got knocked out. I am pleased to say all the wounded I have met are quite cheery and that is saying a lot.' My word, talk of marvellous escapes—everybody has them here. I had three myself: one struck my magazine, one went through my water-bottle and robbed me of a drink, and another through my entrenching tool. I saw one man get hit on the top •of his cap, the bullet going through the side, without hurting him in any way ; he just smiled and ran on. Well, I must close now, with kind regards to all. j