"AMONG THE ANCIENTS.”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 248, 17 September 1940, Page 5

"AMONG THE ANCIENTS.”

RELICS FROM TRENCHES

While Australian soldiers were digging a trench at tho headquarters camp of the A.I.F. in Britain, they unearthed a stone archway estimated by local historians to be almost 1000 years old. The story of this discovery is related in a special despatch from Mr Kenneth Slessor, official correspondent withthe A.I.F. in Britain.

“The camp,” says Mr Slessor, “is situated oil a site which is rich in literary and historical associations, and although the Australians ’are not archaeologists trench digging assumes new interest when your pick is likely to any moment land on some buried relic of early English romance.

“Tho three-stone top of the arch is perfectly preserved and the line of the walled corridor approaching it can be clearly traced. According to history books of tho district, tho arch is almost certainly part of a nuns’ convent, built in 9SO.

“AmongSt flints and rubble thrown up by the Australians’ spades, a number of beautifully glazed tiles Ims been found, j with coloured patterns of crosses, fleur do lys and lions rampant. These come from tho walls of cells, and others are unglazed from floors that were trodden by holy feet almost 1000 years ago. Tho tiles have been eagerly sought as souvenirs by the Australians.