LETTER FROM THE FRONT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 88, 14 August 1915, Page 7

LETTER FROM THE FRONT.

Lieutenant D- F. l< rasor, of Canterbury Iniantrv Battalion, and at one time in the employ ot the Non Zealand Loan and Mercantlo Agency Co.. Stratford, writes from the .Dardanelles to his old chief, Mr \V. A. Hewitt, of his experiences since he landed with the Expeditionary Force in. Egypt till time of writing, l.Cth JuneT* He says, so far as ho has got through safely in his encounters with the Turks. He in common with the others was given plenty of time m which to travel round the particular locality in Egypt and see the many sights, and for once the lilo of the soldier and that of the tourist wore one. After the day’s work, the men were allowed off until 1-0 o’clock at night, and for the first two months Cairo witnessed a scene of thousands of men in khaki. He mentions the Canal fight, and tells of how the New Zealanders put in a month's training lust near the scene of action. He goes on to say that the hoys are now hi the game in real earnest, and are fighting alongside some of Britain s best Regulars, dust when th© New Zealand Roys were lighting with the British, they were sent to make an advanced firing line in front of the line held by the Regulars. Bullets W ere living thick everywhere, and how the New Zealanders arrived at the line they finally took up he says he does not know" and does not feel disposed now to make any inquiries. When they got to the line they dugin quicklv. as their lives depended on how soon they could throw up a hit of cover. Any ordinary workmen would have looked absolutely foolish alongside the men in khaki as regards their ability to remove earth. When the hoys arrive hack in New Zealand after the war, the New Zealand Government should lose no time in taking on a hatch loi the 1 nhlit Works, as with their exceptional pace and ability for removing earth gamed at the front under the whiz/, of the Gullet and their skill and aptitude, it would be a considerable saving to the country to employ our Dardanelles Heroes in a- capacity in which they have proved second to none! After having made their trench, which they occupied for five days, they were relieved and sent to the rear for what was called a rest. Rut tins vest meant that the whole Battalion was sent out road-making. There is great lack of roads in the vicinity of them operations, and the men have to remedy the deficiency. The trenenes occupied by the Turks nre so dose to those of the New Zealanders that the respective sand hags almost touch each other; there is plenty of sniping land bombing, and the ones who can throw the most bombs are victorious. The rations, he says, consist of bully beef and biscuits, but the men do not mind this so much so long as they escape the “Iron Rations” served out by the Turks. He says ho cannot understand now why people require houses to live in. He describes how simple it is to tlig liole in the su e of a cliff, put an oil-sheet down, wrap your blanket round yon. and yon arc protected from all weather (unless it rains shell). When the order comes down the line tolling the men they can sleep till they are wanted, each man just lies down where lie is. The lino must not he broken or equipment taken off as the men may bo wanted at a moment’s notice. The bayonet must even be fixed. He says it is not a pleasant thing to sleep with a loaded rifle and a fixed bayonet.