THE GUARDS CAME THROUGH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1977, 15 May 1919, Page 4

THE GUARDS CAME THROUGH.

The following- vigorous war ballad by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is quoted by an officer of (he Guards, in his diary. “It always conics to my mind,” he writes, “when I think of the part the Guards Division look in the battle of Gouzeaueourt”: —

Men of the 21st, Up by the Chalk Pit Wood, Weak with our wounds and our thirst, Wanting our sleep and our food, After a day and a night God, shall wo ever forget! Beaten and broke in the fight, But sticking it, sticking it yet. Trying to hold the line, Fainting and spent: and done, Always the thud and the whine, Always the yell of the Hun! Northumberland, Lancaster, York, Durham and Somerset, Fighting alone, worn to the bone, But slicking it —sticking it yet. Never a message of hope! Never a word of dheer! Fronting Hill 70’s shell-swept slope, With the dull dead plain in our rca r. Always the whine of the shell, Always the roar of the burst, Always the tortures of hell, As waiting and wincing we cursed Our luck and the guns of the Boche, When our corporal shouted, “Stand to!” And I heard someone cry, “Clear the front for the Guards!” And the Guards came through! Our throats were parched and hot, But Lord, if you’d heard our cheer*! Irish and Welsh, and Scot, Coa Ist reams and Grenadiers. Two Brigades, if you please, Dressing as straight as a hem; We —we were down on our knees, Praying for us and for them! Praying with (ear-wet cheek, Praying with outstretched hand; Lord, I could speak for a week, But how could you understand! How should your cheeks be wet ! Such feelings don't come to you; But when can me or my mates forgot When the Guards came through! “Fivfe yards left extend!” It passed from rank to rank, Line after line with never a bond, And a touch of the London swank. A trifle of swank and dash, Coo! as a home parade. Twinkle and glitter and flash, Flinching never a shade; Willi the shrapnel right in their face, Doing their Hyde Park stunt. Keeping their swing- at an easy pace. Arms at the i rail, eye* front ! Alan, it was great to see! Man, it was line to do! It's a col in the hospital ward forme, But I'll tell 'em in Blighty, Avlierever I be, How the Guards came through.