LETTER FROM THE FRONT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1524, 18 March 1916, Page 2

LETTER FROM THE FRONT.

In a letter to Mr E. Healey, dated January 18th, Dr Adams, who is with the British troops in France, says

“I am writing you these few lines in a small French estaminet (coffee shop), in which we are at present billeted, just behind the firing line ; we are here resting for a few days, and go into the trenches again in a couple of days. By jove, things are hellish here—there is no other way of explaining things. We are all wet and muddy to the hips, we cannot keep warm or dry, and are living in a manner that would almost shame a backblocks bushwhacker. Of course, there are times when our food, etc., comes to hand freely, and when we get boxes of luxuries from the Army and Navy stores in London, on which occasions we live right royally as tar as lood is concerned, but served up in a manner that would not suit the average working-class man—tin cups and plates, no tablecloths, etc., and boxes or such for seats. Nevertheless we are a happy little family, and have quite a lot of amusement amongst ourselves, which is only broken by the explosion of a. shell. We had the pleasure of witnessing quite a fine sight yesterday, a large German aeroplane being bombarded by our anti-aircratt guns, and just following this several of our bi-planes attacking a German squadron. Unfortunately • none of the German machines came down, although numerous shells burst apparently in contact with the machines. A great sight, indeed, and they disappeared from our sight still fighting. I shall be returning to Great Britain again early in March, I expect, my year’s service being finished then. However, I shall probably serve on again, perhaps in the Navy, but if possible in hospital in France. Of course, with life exception of a couple of mouths in Edinburgh Castle Hospital I have been doing regimental work, and shall have to continue with the 16th Royal Scots in the Trenches until the end of my >ear. However one does not take to trench work too kindly with the uncomfortable conditions, risks one runs, and awful inconvenience, etc., and then we all are trying for hospital or field ambulance work, I certainly have had quite enough of regimental work, and feel that a change will be due me. The British Tommy is a wonderful being—happy and unconcerned even under fire ; nothing seems to put him about. He is a marvel as compared with the French or Belgian, who takes life under these conditions much more seriously, and has a kind of hunted-down appearance. I shall never forget our departure from Edinburgh in the first place, and from England for the front in the second place. Of course, at Edinburgh it was a very sad sight, mothers, sweethearts and wives saying goodbye ; but at the port of embarkation the men were singing 'the topical songs of the day as they marched from the station to the ship. On landing in France they sang merrily as they marched through the streets of the port of disembarkation. The French people, I feel sure, thought we bad only arrived for a picnic ; they are absolutely puzzled at the great spirits of the British Tommy. One can understand why this difference should be when we understand that the British Tommy goes to the trenches leeling that he is going to ireturn, whilst the French Tommy goes with the feeling that he is not going to return. The French people generally are very good to our men, and nothing is thought of a battalion rolling into a village, the men being billeted in all outhouses, stables, etc., whilst the restaurants, etc., are all taken for leeding, and rooms in private houses taken for officers, hospital, orderly room, etc. They throw their houses open, and do not obstruct at all.”