FROM "SHRAPNEL GULLY."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 64, 15 July 1915, Page 7

FROM "SHRAPNEL GULLY."

STRATFORD TROOPERS LETTER Trooper E. Evans, of Queen Alexandra's Own, writing from Shrapnel GuUy, Gallipoli. to his sister, gives an interesting description of lite in the field. The following are extracts from his letter, dated May 27th : "Of course I cannot say where we aro or anything about our doing's, so don't expect anything in that line. In the first place, I am in excellent health, feeling much better than I have in all my natural before. We are being fed very well indeed (bully. biscuits, cheese, bacon, tea. sugar and jam), and we make up some fine appetising dishes from our rations. This is an ideal country and similar to New Zealand ill many respects such

as climate. The particular part in which we are situated reminds me much of around Dunedin, as it is very hilly and covered with scrub. There is a tine beach quite handy and we occasionally get a chance of a dip. We also have to wash our clothes in the sea, as we have not too much water. There is an abundance of wild flowers here, poppies, mignonette (no smell), Japanese roses, wild honeysuckle (no smell also), and dozens of other flowers whose names T do not know. We have just finished two weeks in the trenches and are now resting. Resting means digging roads, etc. We live in small dug-outs on the sides of the hills and it is a sight to see the hundreds of them from the beach and, let me chat you, it is often a hard job to find your own little hole here. We have nicknamed the different gullies and hills, and here aro some of am sorry to say the names are only too significant) : Shrapnel Gully, Dead Man's Gully, the Valley of Death. Suicide Hill, etc. Of course some points are named after different officers who have distinguished themselves here.

Our worst trouble here is the shrapnel from the enemy's guns, and 1 am sorry to say that they get a good bag each day. Only last night sixteen of our chaps got caught within a few yards of my "posy.' By the way. I am probably giving too much news, and I must cut it out. as our letters ire strictly censored.

Gee Whiz! I am satisfied that our squadron has absolutely the best officers in the whole force. Our Capaia is beloved by all ranks, and I can honestly say that not one of our men has gone out or been wounded without receiving a helping hand from Captain . All the boys say he is a gentleman and a soldier.

We Avitnessed a terrible catastrophe about a mile out at sea the other day. I daresay you have read about it/ in the papers, as I believe you are better posted with the news than we are, except what we actually see.

1 was always credited with being bard-hearted, but 1 have seen some horrible and demoralising scenes since we arrived here.—scenes which I never wish to see again. Tt is in the battlefield that a man learns many les«>ns and it is the battlefield which must draw a man nearer to the Almighty Perhaps it is well we cannot mention names and scenes in our letters, but of course one expects such in a place like this. * # * *

Some days things are so quiet and peaceful that we really ll ilk that we are camping out with a picnic party. It is strenuous work in the trendies, long hours and little deen and don't we appreciate the rest when we rise ;.t our own time and have breakfast and then take a dip in the briny. The only thing to disturb the peaceful s-cene is the shrapnel which bursts over us without warning. •

I am getting quite a good cook and will be able to give you some of our favourite dishes when we get back. Just try this one: -Jib cheese, lib bully, and some powdered biscuit, boil and serve hot. Our recipes are all quite simple, and we never require to look up the cookery book to get the correct ingredients.