FROM THE FIRING LINE.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 8 November 1916, Page 4

FROM THE FIRING LINE.

TAIHAPE WOMEN’S WORKING CLUB. HOW THEIR GIFTS ARE APPRECIATED. The following letters have received in Taihape from some of our lads at the front. It is very graitfying to learn that and comforts despatched by Worn, en’s Working Club have reached their destination, and have been thoroughly appreciated. We will let the recipients tell their story in their own way: Somewhere in France-, August 31, 1916. Dear Miss Rita, —I am taking this opportunity of writing you a few lines thanking you very much for the parcel which you forwarded me through the Taihape Women’s Working Club, and which reached me safely this morning. Your letter enclosed was dated 25/5/16, so you see it has taken quite a considerable time to arrive. Before I write any more I might say I am somewhat at a disadvantage in wining this letter, as I do not know to

whom I am writing, as you omitted to sign your surname but as you vYished to hear from me, I am attempting to write as interestingly as possible. Your parcel was greatly appreciated, and it will be pleasing to you to hear that the boys of my platoon who are sharing my billet the Taihape boys were very lucky to have a "Women’s Working Club that looked after the boysj so well. From what I can gather from others, Taihape appears to be. about the only place that runs its Club on such good lines. You see the others appear to send their parcels to any of the boys over here, whereas the Taihape parcels all come to the local boys, which I think is by far the better way. The small comb caused great amusement amongst the boys—of course at my expense—at any rate it is a useful little article, and will' come in handy when we go inFo the.trenches again. You, doubtless, know that we have had a good “go-in” in, the trenches since being over here, and will have seen the names of many iST.Z. boys in the casualty lists, including some Taihape lads. Although we have lost a few boys from the old town —killed and wounded—still, I think we have been very’ lucky, so far, and hope the good luck will stick to us throughout the war. "tVe are looking forward to day when we are to return to Taihape, which not want to leave again in any great hurry. I am addressing this lettercare of the Club, and hope it reaches you safely. I will now conclude, wishing you and the members the best of jolly good luck, from yours very sincerely, ROY MAHER. FRANCE, Sept. 6, 1916. Dear Madam, —Please accept my grateful thanks for your kindness in sending the most welcome parcel of useful articles. Rost assured the parcel is very useful, and speaks volumes for the thoughtfulness of the good women of Taihape. Please convey our warmest thanks to your hand of willing helpers for working so hard to make the soldiers comfortable and happy. Your kindness will not be readily forgotten by us. Yours gratefully, W H. MOORE. Sling Camp, Bulford, Sept. 3, 1916. Dear Friend,■ —Just a line -to let you know that I received j’our parcel, anti was very pleased with it. All the articles will be useful; there is only one that is not in use now, and that is the comb, but it may be very useful in a few weeks’ time, as I am leaving for France to-morrow morning. I am the only Taihape boy left here. The otherswent a fortnight ago. By the time this reaches you I will know what it is like to be a “ dinkum ’ ’ soldier. Frank MeJLaughlan was in camp here, and he was coming over with us, but he has to go under an operation to get a small piece of a bullet taken out of his back. Hesays that is working out, and he could' not carry the pack—it takes a good bit of carrying. We were out for a route march of about twelve miles yesterday afternoon, and the day being muggy, most of us were wet through with perspiration. Several had to fall out on account of sore feet, and at the end of the march the pack felt as if it weighed about three hundredweight. Well, I must conclude now. Again, thanking you for the parcel, I remain Yours gratefully, H. A. DIAMOND. FRANCE, Aug 31, 1916. Dear Madam, —Please convey to your club my sincere thanks for parcels, which were received to-day. The comforts were very acceptable, and the women folk of Taihape are to be congratulated upon their good work in supply* ing the boys with comforts. I, person? ally, feel an outsider, having been away from your district some time prior toenlisting. but I have pleasant tions of good times spent in yoiir progrossive little town, and no wonder (the Hun wants to get' hold of it. The part v-e h?ve been in is mostly an agricultural’district, and it is wonderful how

Close up to the firing line the farm work goes on as usual. We have just three months in the trenches, !4- and are at present away in the background resting and preparing for a more strenuous campaign than we have yet taken part in The most important question with us is “When is the war g(Jfc to finish, and when will we get to our own folk?” Well, at present it is hard to say, and I think there will be a>LTeast another year of war. Anyhow, time is nothing as long as we win, and win we will. In conclusion I again thank you and your club for your kindness. Yours sincerely, JACK ROCHE.