LETTER FROM THE FRONT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1716, 24 May 1917, Page 3

LETTER FROM THE FRONT.

Rifleman A. JI. Yates, of the sth lies. Ball., 3rd N.Z.R.8., late of Moutoa, writing 1 from France under dale .March 28th, to a Foxton friend, says;

“We are in isolation. One of our males contracted mumps, so we will he here until April Kith. There are about 2,(KH) men in I his camp. The censor will not allow me to tell where we are. However, we are all well and happy.' The most .interesting to write about from here is the number of great war trains that thunder up and down this duplicate railway. Sometimes they are drawn by -three monster engines. They are loaded with everything from halos of hay to England's greatest guns. Ambulance motor ears, drived by women, lly in all directions, and war motor waggons do the Mime. The number of troops here would run into six figures. The Y.M.C.A., Salvation Army and Scotch Church all have institutions all over (he place for soldiers, one large place has just been opened by the Y.M.C.A. costing 11,000, donated by Mrs Lowry, of Hawke's Bay, N.Z. The weather here has been very cold, but is a little better now. There arc soldiers here from every country in the British Empire. How the Scotchmen can go about in kills this cold weather is beyond my comprehension, The “.locks,” as they are called, and the Australian and New Zealand soldiers get on very well together. The Jocks have not any sympathy for the German —right up against him. No half-measures with them. We have an “At Home” front 5 p.m. until lights out every day. There are plenty of French girls (do me) and bully beef here, especially the hitler. We arc on army rations here, and we know the value of bread, etc.; not the sinful waste of food here like in Mew Zealand. French women hawk home-made bread and sell to us, otherwise we would be very hungry many times. The only thing wrong with this army is too big a gap.bet ween officers and men in regard to food, accommodation,

etc. 1 see the name of Lieut. T. Y.

Seddou connected with a great many social functions in England, but of course he is lighting for his King and country. However, with it all we are well and hnjijiy, and if we are allowed to return to New Zealand I think there will be great alterations before we go to the next war. In the meantime we are jirejiaml to see this one through to victory ttiis summer. Something must ha|)jien this summer, and it will not be the retreat of the British.’’