"DON'T CHEER!"

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 9 December 1916, Page 5

"DON'T CHEER!"

"Please don't cheer the wounded," said a policeman to people i u the crowd at Charing Cross Station, who were watching the arrival of men who were during the splendid advance at the battle of the Somme. The crowd could not understand, and the policeman looked embarrassed. "They want lo be auier.," he said apologetically. "T&ey'e stretcher cases—they've had a rough time, and the noise isn't good for them." Then the people began to realise what he meant, and they remained silent as the heroes of the Somme passed by in the motor-ambulances —most of them lying at full length and covered with blankets and bandages. The people -had to be content with paying a voiceless homage to the men they had come to cheer. "May 1 throw a flower in?" said a little woman who Avas abashed by the policeman's request. "That's all right, mum—they can"; do nothing but good." So many of the men are suffering from shell shock that quiet is very necessary. It was hard to restrain one's enthusiasm with the papers full of victory. A Canadian soldier who was looking on at last night's scenes, smiled. "We shall soon be able to cheer as lons' uh we like," he said.