A SOLDIER'S EXPERIENCES.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 118, 6 February 1919, Page 1

A SOLDIER'S EXPERIENCES.

Private A. C. Arnold Writes! An interesting account of his experioncos and journies has been forwarded home by Private A. C. Arnold, to his parents at Turanga-o-moana. "He said he landed at Chevalier camp, Ismalia and after spending some time there, was sent on up to Jerusalem by train, which was a long journey in open trucks, leaving at 6 a.m. and arriving at 2 p.m. the next day. On arriving atJoresalom there was no transports to tako us to tho front, so wo spent a few days in looking round tho Holy City. Wo visited the old and new city, saw some wonderful sights in the old city, the Garden of Gethsemano, and tho Mount of Olives. Wont to the Dead Sea', 12 miles ride on a donkey-my first mount sinco I joined tho Army. Visited the Soldiers club, and onjoyod a very good dinnor there. The country about Jerusalem is much bettor than Egypt; it is very hilly here. The climate here is much cooler than at Ismalia, and is something like the mild New Zealand climate, Moving from Jerusalem to Anzac rocoiving station, Jericho, Palestine, wo went in lorries and did not find it very ploasant, what with tho heat, flies and dust—a wind and dust sovon inches deep—so the first night was not too comfortable. I was stretcher-bearer for a timo, then put in a ward. There wore a good many patients coming through everyday mostly with malaria. This Jordan valley is the home of malaria. A few boys camo through whom.l knowJack Tapper, Bort Maisoy, Frank Swayne (Cambridge). Jericho is a small town with not a blade of grass anywhere. We have to cart all our water 4 miles, so do not use too much. The food has been good all through, in tact much better than expected. Since landing hero, I have experienced only one shower—it only lasted a quarter of an hour, and ten minutes after there was no sign of rain having fallen. On account of some of the drivers being ill I have been driving on one of the water-carts, and I like it very much. It will only last for a few days, as some of tho drivers will be ooming out of hospital soon. All the water has to be carted from tho foot of the Mount of Temptation. Richou, Palestine, As you will notico we have come down from the Jordan valley—left there on the 4th and rodo through to Salaat od Dnm, when I was taken ill with malaria, and had to go into hospital at Jerusalem. Most of the boys out of tho Medical corp who wero up tho Valley have been down with malaria. I am getting hotter, and thoy are lotting mo tako things easy for a bit, and a fellow wants to after being in Jericho. Was ploasod to moot Wadie, my oobber hero ; it seems funny to see him looking after a couple of horsos, and he is doing alright although he has hardly seen a horso beforo, and never ridden one."