THOUGHTS OF PUKEKOHE FROM FRANCE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 258, 13 March 1917, Page 4

THOUGHTS OF PUKEKOHE FROM FRANCE.

(By Signaller SAM O'MALLEY, 16 th Waikato Coy, France ) As I sit in my sand-bag dug-out, with the receiver to my ear, Midst the clash and din of the bigguns, my thoughts are far from here And I see again old King Street, and the " pub " on the corner too Where I spent many a joyous night, with the whisky, the beer and you.

Then my mind's eye roams near the showground, to the old Masonic Hall, There too I had some happy time*, drinking and trying to bawl. I remember one night above all others, I sat there as a guest. And I heard the speeches and the kind words, from men of the very best

There are lads who left Fukekobe and fell in the Somme advance, But we that got through, if we're spared, will revenge them v» hen we get the chance That day seems to me like a rightmare, with its shrapnel and awful din, And I thank God that I was lucky, and got through it with a whole skin,

Well it's getting very near 'Xma«, only just two days more, And for me it will be a merry one, in the trenches mid strafeing galore. But I've learnt to take things as they come now, and hope for the best that's in store, 'Cos if I'm lucky enough to get through this, next 'Xmas I'll be home once more. And I think of old Kaiser Bill's peace note, he must have thought England a dunce, But he got his answer here quickly, from our cannon, they all spoke at once, For us there can only be one Peace, a Peace by our victory secured, And the Hun must be squashed and beaten, to make lasting Peace assured. Deeember 23rd, 1916.