TOMMY'S "OWN" NEWSPAPERS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 278, 25 May 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

TOMMY'S "OWN" NEWSPAPERS.

EDITORIAL HUMOUR IN THE TRENCHES. (From tho Glasgow Weekly Herald.; That " tho pen is might'er than tho sword" is not a theory that "counts for much with the average solider. He places las trust in the sword. Yet, peculiarly enough, the average soldier his a strong partiality for wielding the pen when ho doesn't happen to bo wielding tho sword. And it is remarkable, too —and it was just the same before the war broke out, and the ranks of the British Army wore reinforced toy the enlistment of so many highlyodueated men —-what a number of soldiers there are who can wield the pen effectively when they choose. At the time when the Censor easily permitted publication in the newspapers of the letters from Tommies at the front, this fart must have impressed' itself on everyone. Many of the- letters were, in dramatic effect and vivid descriptive effort, literary productions of very high merit. Of course, some of the letters were written by trained journalists and author* who had donned the khaki; but not many of them. Tho great majority were the productions of ordinary Tommies. For some inexplicable reason the profession of soldiering seems to induce tho development of the writing talent. Perhaps. after all, there is some subtle affinity between the pen and the sword. Hut, although the .writing Tommy ran, when he cares to —as the letters from the fiont that used to -be published In the newspapers showed —turn out serious "copy," he usually prefers to employ his literary ability in a lighter vein. _ l*' 1 i'he measure of the writing Tommy's inclinations is to be found in the regimental journals which he produces. These are invariably bubbling over with humour. Indeed, not only is the measure of Tommy's literary inclinations to be found in these journals, but the measure of the British spirit—the laughing light-Hearted British. A LIBEL. ('"in- years we have been libelled as a gloomy race of people, but Tommy on the " Continong ,: lias by his irrepressible happiness in tho most adverse circum*tau':es, re-educated opinion there. Anyhow, if there be any who still think wo are the melancholy people wo Ato always represented as being, we recommend them to secure and peruse a few of the war journals produced by vtir soldier boys. They will find therein plenty of evidence to convince them of the contrary —evidence that will leave them gasping in admiring wonder at the merriment of the men who are continually duelling with death. They will find that, grim as is the business of war, tho British nation, as t. pitted! by Tommy, does not, llow itael to be overwhelmed by it. We wish wo could —not for tho benefit ot tho sceptics, but for the intense pleasure of our readers —reprodue herein all the items we would f'ke to from our soldier boys' own newspapers. But as that, of course, is out of the question, we shall have to be content with a more modest programme; and restrict ourselves to a limited review of a few such papers. ""SOME" PAPER.

The first paper we deal with is " some" paper. It is, indeed, "The Somine Times.*' This paper was so successful tiiat, even before its No. 1 was published, it swallowed ("incorporated" they call it in tue newspaper world) the "VV ipers' Tinier" and several other battlefield productions. It has—or should we say had? (for Tm not sure now whether it has not now been swallowed in turn by some later arrival)—its own special war correspondent. This individual's style is all his own, although his name —" Teech Bomas" —bears a close resemblance to that borne by the war correspondent of & London daily contemporary. The advertisement manager of "The Sommo Times' - ' is also unique, and a very successful business-getter, for the papor carries a comfortable crowd of "adverts." of quite an entertaining as well as enterprising character. One, for instance invites readers to tho Contalmaison Opera House to see the " Groat Drama," entitled "There's Ouo More fiiver to Cross," "introducing tho celebrated malo impersonator, Little Willie, and Fritz, the original bottle-nosed comedian, in his new sketch, 'l've had Somme.' '" ' Tho editorial article, as befitting an editorial article flavours the paper with a little spice of gravity, and a dash here and there of poetry lends the sentimental touch that shows Tommy's hart is 'n tho right place all the time. Among distnguished contributors to "The Somme Times is Gilbert Frankau (the soldier son of the late Frank Danby, the novelist) with some clever satrical verses, but tho identity of tho able contributes of its " Fashion Column" is hidden behind ho poii-nanm of ""Violet". Wo wonder who "she" i^!' THE " DUMP."

Tlio "Dump" is a very ambitious war journal. It disdains "numbers", and i.published only in volumes; the second volume, after a twelve mouths' interval appeared for Christnuis. The ''Dump' is great on illustration?, beautifully done. But, strictly speaking, the- "Dump" is not 'U the same category as ordinary solders' journals. Liko "Blighty," a great deal of professional literary raid artistic assistance is accorded it —gratis, of course. Nevertheless, the •'Dump," again like "Blighty" is "one of the best," and appreciated >is sii'ch by Tommy. The "Sapper," tho Engineer Tommy's journal, is perhaps as truly representative as any of tho literary productions of the rank and file.

it bubbles over with mirth, and contains a feature that, when it is included in a soldier's paper, absolutely ensures the paper's popularity among its readers. This is the "Things 'VYe Want, to Know" column. The "thingi we want to know'' are the pertinent <|iu«tions humorously put by inuendu, to comrades and others not at all desirous of satisfying .such public curiosity. 'i he " Radiator" is a merry and bright little journal, much on the same lines as the "Sapper": it is produced by the boys of the Mechanical Transport Depot of the Army Service Corp. s *" "to chronicle their doings and beguile their -pare time (if any).'' These last two papers nr\ ol course,

heme produced ones. EDITED IN THE TRENCHES

The " Periscope" however, i-. edited ill the trenches by " Pip To-" and irodured "Somewhere in frame": and it is as excellent a s|M'l-imell ;:- "The Somme Times" ol" the journalistic capacity possessed by our heroic lads, at the'front. All through it is good- stories, je.st, and ver-e It is. however, fortunate in the ol' the wellknown "Sapper" on its -lull' of contributors.

I'he older established soldier journals

—tho-e that were in existence before the war, and nearlv everv regiment possessed its own—differ a little from thosthe war has brought into existence, inasmuch that, in ndd'it'on to fhe inevit-

able gaiety, they seriously record practically every interesting regimental happening—for historical reference presumable. HOSPITAL JOURNALS. Many of tho war hospitals at home have now taken to producing their own journals, too, but their contents are little concerned with splints and bandages except in a humorous way. Their aim seems always to he the laudable one of banishing dull care. As showing the happy style of contributions that find great favour among our heroes under repair. I cannot do better, I think, than quote from the famous "Gazette" of the 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth. "How to be Loved—in Hospital" is one. and the other is "Mv One Eve and

These titles alone, in a paper "for the wounded by the wounded," are an eloipient testimony to the brave spirit of light-heartedness possessed by "our boys." Who longer dan.s to say we are a gloomy people? THE R.A.M.C. BASKET. •The Pannier" is the latest addition to the lr-t of military monthlies. It h the journal of the Scottish R.A.M.C'. Training Centre, and is ably run by a commute of live, incluidng Mr. John Horsburgh, a young gentleman of parts who, before enlisting, was employed in "The Evening Times" Case Room. The contents of "The Pannier" show undoubted talent in literature and art, lively and serious. Here, for instance, is iiii Extract from "Soldier's Letter": 1 am sorry I cannot where ! am, as I am not allowed to <-iy. But I venture to state thai I am not now where I wa->. but where ( w: s before I left here to go V here I have just i em ■ from. Poetry is represented by :v dainty " Love Lvric." of wh v h the following is a sniitch':— Were 1 a star the topmost star That ever climbed the spangled Down, down ihv silverv ravs would steel To kiss thy tender, sleeping eyes.