LOCAL BOY’S LETTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1740, 26 July 1917, Page 3

LOCAL BOY’S LETTER.

The following; interesting letter has been received from Pte. Toni East, from Codford, England, under date May 25th: — “I am writing these few lines to let the people know how the 21st Reinforcements enjoyed their trip over the seas. Well, we. had a splendid trip throughout. The captain said it was the best trip he has had; it was as smooth as a lake. Our trip from New Zealand to Albany took us fourteen days. Upon leaving New Zealand it was a bit rough, and made a few sea-sick. Wo arrived at Albany at night-time, and we went ashore next morning for live hours, and (he boys made it willing while there. A lot missed the boat. Well, we left at night-time for Capo Town, which took ns 21 days, a long trip. We were getting sick of it, nothing else hut water. We saw very few boats on the way. We went ashore at Capetown for one day only, and we had an enjoyable time, the people making us very welcome indeed. The hoys were downhearted when (hey got ashore to find the hotels shut. Soldiers could not get a drink at all. 1 went for a tram ride to a hay called ‘Camp Bay,’ which is sajd to he the best ride in the world. Table Mountain is a great sight. We did not go up, as we were warned of its dangers. At Capetown we picked up the Australian troops. There were two of our own boats and five Australian boats. It was a great sight to see us all steaming along together, the boats being something for us to look at. Our next port of call was Ereetown. We were there four days, but did not go ashore. There we picked up a British cruiser, which escorted us Home. From Freetown we made for Plymouth. All the boys were on the look-out for submarines. We.were now well in the danger zone. Passing through the tropics wo saw thousands of fish, the sea being alive. The officers and men were all one day shooting them. Whales were to he soon everywhere. We ran one whale down—a monster, 100. We saw a Jot of bouts when neanng Home, some of them being very sus-picious-looking, but we were ready for them, each boat having a -!.i in. gun aboard. We bad to wear our life-bells all day, and when down to meals wo had to be careful indeed. One morning about 2 oVloek, a rope or something fopled the whistle, and she blew for about a minute, and you should have seen us. We got a great scare. Wo thought the ship was sinking. When four days out from Plymouth we met another escort of destroyers, and it was a grand sight to see them

racing one behind the other, at full speed. There was one for each of us, and we needed them, 100, for I lie submarines were not far off us before the escort reached us. They had a shot at one, but missed it. Hard luck! Wo felt more at home now we bad a destroyer with us. Anyhow, we reached port in safely, but we had a lot of luck indeed. The day before we reached port there were eight fishing boats sunk by shell fire from a German submarine, so we were lucky. The hoys gave three cheers for the captain of our boat, also the captain of the destroyer. Wo went ashore next morning, and departed for Sling Camp, to our sorrow, in snow up to our knees. The people will he glad to know I have met Willie Collins, Wallio Baker, Harry Brew and Jack Brew. They arc all doing well, and going to France shortly. Well, this is all, so 1 send my best regards to all in Fox ton, hoping to see them all again this time next year,” The writer adds that Percy Kelly, Harry Heather, and George Neilson are all well, and having a royal time.