“KITCHENER’S ORPHANS.”

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 65, 16 March 1916, Page 6

“KITCHENER’S ORPHANS.”

- WARM ANZAC TRIBUTES. UNDAUNTED WARWICKS. There ha s lust been published in the regimental orders of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, at Parkhurst, a letter from a memner of the New Zealand Forces in Gallipoli. He says:. “One of Kitchener’s divisions was for a time under the Australian com- . mand. I saw these men march past, and was struck at once by their soldierly bearing. These men were mostly from the Midlands, from English workshops, pits, and other places where fresh air was at a premium. They had had scarcely a year’s training, yet looked soldiers, and they soon proved that their looks did not belie them. From the 7th to the 10th of August they were in the fight'mg__jan uphill scrap as fierce as you could have it. From my observation I can testify to the imperishable renown which ona regiment gained in our eyes during those days, and as an old Birmingham man I was proud to shake hands in the after-days with men of the 9th Royal Warwickshires. They had immense difficulties to overcome. They were led the wrong way, and had to retrace their steps. They had to attack in full view of the enemy; their left was exposed to enfilading fire, 'and in sfiite of all' they reached the Rhododendron Spur and some of the very ridge of 971. They held on like grim death, when firstone and then another unit retired. They 'asked for reinforcements, hut were told none were available and still they stayed. They were now by themselves, and it was only when every officer save one was killed or wounded that three companies slowly retired. “I saw a Warwickshire officer —I think Baker was his name —dressed for wounds three times in one day, and despite the M.O.’s advice he went back to the firing line when bound up. Then ther e was Lance-Corporal Guillaume, of the majohine-igun section, who stayed up near the Rhododendron Spur for six hours 'after all liad retired, fired 4,000 rounds, and then burying the tripod of his gun, walked back with the rest under his arm.”