PERSONAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 55, 3 November 1915, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Private Hairy Hance, writing to his people in Stratford from Gallipoli under date 22nd August, slated that he was having a lively time, but up to then the shells and bullets had all missed him. He had seen Bob | Woods who'was looking well, but was being sent away on furlough. The weather was very hot and dry and rain was "out of the question." while the flies were in millions and tormented the life out of them. . . • They were camped near the sea, and it was nice to have a dip in the briny, but they often got chased out of it by shrapnel shells from the Turks. Lie had not bad a wash ill fresh water since they landed, as they were only allowed fresh water for cooking and drinking. Sometimes they had to go a whole week without a wash. He had had some wonderful experiences and some narrow escapes, but lie was in good health and hoped to see it through. . . . We were in a big battle a few ■ days ago, he wrote, and had a hot time, and anyone who got through can congratulate himself on being extremely lucky. We had a light shower of rain the other night, just enough to dampen the top of the ground; it is the only shower for ten weeks or more. It is very hot and i\\y. and we never use our blankets—just lie down in our meat coats. We get plenty of food and plenty of tobacco. Kvory night we hear the same old familiar sounds of big guns tiring: the v arc always to be heard somewhere, and the bullets are always flying about somewhere. 1 have stil] got some of my mates left, and there is a dozen here that f know. Harry Kilpatrick is still in Egypt with the horses. The place ('Stratford) must be deserted now that s(> many men have gone away; well, we can do with them all here, and 1 reckon every single man ought to volunteer and conie and fight for his country. ... I have not seen a child, a shop, or a dog since I left Egypt— no one only nienj