BACK TO "BLIGHTY."

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 191, 14 July 1916, Page 4 (Supplement)

BACK TO "BLIGHTY."

THE LEAVE-TRAIN AND BOAT. Bv a Traveller (in the "Dai'y Mail.") I have, made four separate journeys l>y the leave-boat from Fiance. My predominating recollection of each is much the same —a vast crowd, a pitiless deluge of rain, and an unpleasantly heaving sea. Still, a'l concerned accept these l.tt.'e discomforts in a philosophic spirit, since the end of them is " Blighty." Exactly how this expression has come to mean British soil is a standing puzzle to philologists. My theory is that it serves as a contraction for " England. Home and Beauty." Far-fetched, perhaps. Yet not altogether unreasonable. The leave boat has a necessary precursor in the leave train, than which there is no more popular item in the entire repertory of the French railway system. This train travels from the front down to the base every afternon. picking up its quota of officers and men at a dozen different places en route. On rare occasions, when it is late, or —owing to Bosche activityfails to run, there is a tragedy. Frantic telegrams flash backwards and forward; the Chef de Gare barricades himself in his buraau; and the unfortunate Railway Transport Officer is besneged by a long queue of applicants all thirsting for his blood. But neither the French Chef de Gare nor the British R.T.O. is responsible. Despite the fixed ideas of the disappointeoSifficers and men due to travel by thenl, thev cannot make trains. When the leave train is signalled the R.T.O. has a busy time. There maybe 50 passengers to get in aohis station, and he has to sign dozens of documents and warrants, examine innumerable passes, and discover who is the senior officer travelling, and then make him responsible for the'whole party. Half his time is occupied answering questions, as he is supposed to lie a walking encyclopaedia of general knowledge. This is the sort of thing that happens: "Sorry to trouble you, old chap, but how do 1 get to Puddleton-on-the-Slosh from Victoria? "

"Does this tram stop at Paris? I'd he awfully obliged if you would workit for me." " What's the best show on in town just now?" "Do you know if Captain Snooks is coming back to-morrow? " "Will the sea be rough to-night?" "Can 1 telegraph from here to my adjutant, and lit him know 1 left his haversack in Smith's dug-out?" Etc., etc. 3 etc.

Although comparatively empty at the start —perhaps only .six in a cardiage—the train soon fills up, and by the time it get s to Boulogne, Calais, or La Havre, there is standing roojn only. But nobody minds a little discomfort when the end of the journey is England. It is a thoroughly happy train, and song and laughter and talk fill the carriages. "Wonder how the old division will get along without," remarks somebody. "Bong jour, missy," bellows a warrior from a window as he observes a French girl at a level crossing.

And : "Any more for Brighton?" demands a humorist. Arrived at the base, the engine draws up on a quay adjoining the dock to which the leave boat is moored. The train, however, is always a very long one, and quit.} ha'f ite carnages stop some distance from the office where tickets are issued. Everybody swarms out at once, struggles with baggage, bellows for a porter and hurries to the bureau of the embarkation staff officer. This is about the size of a pill-box, and its resources aro heavily taxed by the hundreds of applicants for steamer tickets. Although one is probably not aware of it, while all this is going on each person is closely scrutinised by a litt.e body of detectives, military police and provost-marshals. A man who can run this gauntlet and slip aboard a leave boat without his papers being in order is a strategical genius of the iirs rank. I have never yet known it to Happen.

No one is allowed on board until within hour of sailing. As there, in time to fill up. everybody executes ii forward movement in the direction of the station buffet. My predominant memory of this establishment is of a tariff beside which that of the Kitz plus Carlton p ! us Savoy would be negligible. Hut is is a case of take it or iump it; and watery soup at something like a franc a drop, with alleged ■ poulet and wine at a kind's ransom, are eagerly consumed. Presently an orderly puts his head in :it the door.

"Time to embark, gentlemen," he announces.

Immediately everyone picks up his baggage, rushes out and joins a pro-ce.-sioin stretching along the quay.

It is a very mixed crowd that surges across the gangway and settles down on deck. There are generals and staff officers —perhaps a Royal Prince—and subalterns and rank and file. .Some of them have gained the V.(J. or tho D.5.0., and are summoned home to lie invested by His Majesty. These are the lucky ones. But the fortune of war has not brought either good luck or honours to all on board; and passing attention is attracted to a fororn little group who are being swifly hurried below under an armed escort. They arj military prisoners against) a stern discipline as administered by a courtmartial in the field. For them there is no welcome at the end of the journey only ci prison cell. This sort of thing is inevitable, perhaps. Still, titi is none (lie less tragic.

The senior officer on hoard is a-tit-o-matica'ly invested with tht> command. But he lias first to ln> found; and it is not always an easy task, for the veterans are modest and keep out of the way until the appointment lias been lilled. The truth is, nobody wants to lie bothered with the post, since it menus a lot of responsibility and no sort of advantage in the nature n* a Military Cross or D.S.O. Still, the problem is settled at hist: and as likely as not a young subaltern is persuaded to accept the dignity. Among the passengers are almost certain to be a number of Belgian so'diei's. and there will also probably bo a sprinkling of English civilians, as well. Questioning glances are directed toward-; the hitter; and it s interesting to identify the popular Bishop, Cabinet Minister, member of Parliament, journalist, or actor-manager who always seems to be one of the party. Stick' people look a little out of it iiuk. eng-t the military element on board, and liiicKllc togeth.r in self-eonscimis fashion.

Where the troops are concerned, trench kit is de rigncur. A shaggy goatskin coat and mud up to the knee-; are regarded as honourable decorations. I!' a man has not actually come straight from (lie Lrenches. he likes to tool; as if he has. juid I have seen warriors who have never got nearer the front than ! e Havre or Bnuln<rn.' -arei'uliy wadiiiL- in a convenient ne"' puddle oi,t- ; ih> ih ■ station so a.; to acquire the ■ aught-after i. cturesfiue anpearniiee It;-''ore eaiburking. It is a harm-

le-s littio vanity. Several travellers, too, will probably be burdened with souvenirs in tiki shape of German helmets, fragments of shrapnel, and other rophies. This sort of thing is forbidden. Still, it occurs.

Fxcopt in the c#e of the long allnight passage from \a Havre, cabin accommodation is not as a rule provided. If it wcro it would probably not b.< use I :ik- unless driven be.'ow by bad weather -everybody stops on deck, anxious to catch a glimp-e of British soil, t'.tr'iir! piflssciigjcrs. however, select a »pot near a lifebelt. Still, tlto possibility of eiieountcring submarines appears remote, and does not upset their spirits.

As dawn breaks, a dink mass, becoming clearer with each turn of tile s< row, looms up ahead and gradually a row of fitfully twinkling lights stretches in a long crescent. The expert opinion c»f a sailor is sought. When he gives his answer there is a nihility cheer : -Hurrah ! That's good old England !"