THE MEN AT THE FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 4 May 1917, Page 6

THE MEN AT THE FRONT.

GIVE THEM A SPORTING CHANCE

I am -writing about a young relative, Leslie Bursill (says Sir Joseph Carruthers in a Sydney paper). I fciew him from babyhood to manhood into which he had just entered when the war began. A fine son and a splendid boy, he grew into a bright lad with every promise of a great career. Entering the service of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company, he went to Fiji, and was winning his way in the business there. As soon as the war broke out he volunteered and was accepted for the King's Own Rifles, formed in England for oversea Dominions. He was at Neuve Chapellc with his regiment two years ago, and was carried out of the trenches there, the only survivor of his company in his trench. Badly wounded, he was sent to hospital for months, and then, when j recovered, to the front again for the "big push" last year. Again he was wounded, and in hospital until his recovery, when he went once more to the front. Since then the news has been scant; but I understand he was a third time wounded or incapacitated. However, for the last time we hear of him once more in the firingline; this time helping to drive the retreating Germans from Bapaume and Peronne. Then two messages •came, "missing" and —"killed." Once more the brave lad has gone along "the path of glory that, leads to the grave." We who knew him and mourn him can nurse our grief. But we ask this question, and want it answered: "What are so many young men doing that they will not go when they are wanted and give a chance to those Avho, like Leslie Bursill, are getting no fair chance at all?" "Why should young soldiers be hurried out of hospitals after bad wounds into the firing-line once and twice and thrice?" There is only one answer to that question., and it is that too many, far too many, young men able and fit, are holding back, taking no risks and no chances, whilst others are doing their own and other fellows' share of the fighting and taking all the risks. The last news prior to the fateful message that we received of Leslie Bursill was that he was being invalided home. When that message another brother at once enlisted to fill up the gap, and the vacant chairs in the home will be two instead of one.

May I plead with the young men who do not realise that the men at the front are not getting a fair deal; may I plead for many to hurry up and give a chance to others who have done their fair share?"

When some of the young men know of the story of my young friend, and kinsmen, Leslie Bursill, of Shellharbour, they will surely realise that nothing less than a serious shortage of men could impel the military to use over and over again the battered heroes of th e bitterest battles that have been fought on the French lines. I say again emphatically that it is up to the young Australians at home to answer the call for "help" and to go and relieve the strain on the brave men who for two years have been doing their part and more ir. the fighting lines.