BATTLEFIELD STORIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 163, 16 December 1914, Page 6

BATTLEFIELD STORIES.

FIRST TO CROSS THE BRIDGE. PRINCE MAURICE OF BATTENBERG. Corporal J. Jolly, of trie King's Royal Rifles, who has been invalided home, and is in hospital at Cardiff, kept a diary diary of his experiences. Under date, September 7, he says:— ''We traversed a, wood and found that the enemy had camped on the other side. We could see the Germans making blockages on the bridge, preparing to blow it up, but on seeing us, they made off, and as we had no artillery with us, they got off free. The order then came that the bridge must be taken at once, and when we got there, we found that the bridge had three blockages, composed of carts, furniture, glass, wire, etc. Prince Maurice of Battenberg was the first man over, searching the house beyond, all by himself. This was a brave act for an officer alone. The company removal the blockage, and the battalion got across without a shot being fired. The word was passed back that wo were going to charge, and the remainder of the brigade ceased fire and watched with interest the charge. Every man was anxious to do his best, and tho officer, Major Armitage, »avc the order, "Charge!" This was commenced—but the cowards, I call them—when we got to within about twenty yards, they throw down their rifles and put up their hands. Major Armitage ran out in front, shouting, "Halt!" They have surrendered!" Our blood boiled, for they had no morcy for us when they foully fired after showing the white flag. But orders are orders. "We advanced to the trenches fifty yards away, and ordered the German officers, seven of them, to bring their men out. This they did, the Germans coming and looking and feeling our bayonets, and said they could not make it out how v.'c got our bullets out so quick. During this time we made ourselves busy taking the helmets, bayonets and other curios in remembrance of this day. We had a look at the trenches. They were an awful sight, for they wore filled with dead. Some had been pushed out to make room for the living, and for cover, too. The prisoners were counted, and the number was seven officers and 511 men. These, they told us, were what were left of two Jaeger regiments, the estimate of the dead being over 800," "ENGLISH ARE GENTLEMEN." Private T. Percy, writing from tho front to a friend at Newport, sitys: — "I had the pleasure of speaking to a German prisoner tho other day, and he l ,said Germany would have beaten France r and Russia easily, and they were prepared for it; but when they heard that England is fighting against them, it !took all the gel. out of them, and they were glad to get out of it. He said he could not understand how the "balletgirls"—Scots—got around them so quickly. This man was working in London and spoke very good English. Their food had been mangelwurzels, and horseflesh, as he said they could not get rations. "Another batch of Germans was captured in a loft. They said: "If you were French, we would fight to the bitter end, but you Englishmen arc gentlement, and we give ourselves to you willingly." When one of the men was told of their dirty way of fighting, he said the officers forced them to do the dirty work at the point of the revolver. The other day 2000 Germans put up the white flag. ' Immediately behind them were 5000 Germans with fixed bayonets. We smelt a rat, and got around their flank while cracking on to take them prisoners, when the artillery opened fire, and put them all out of mess in twenty minutes. None got away. 'English surprise-packet' one said. BUGLER'S BRAVERY. A story, of the bravery of a bugler of the Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry is told by Private Merryweather of the same regiment, who, after taking part in the battle of the Atsne, has returned to his home at Reading, wounded. Speaking of Bugler Lovelace, Merryweather said:— When we were in the trenches, the water supply ran out, and realising the position we were in, Lovelace pluckily volunteered to go and obtain water for us. He went under a heavy fire a distance of fully 700 yards to a farm which was being stormed by shell, and he succeeded in obtaining water; but ■ had hardly returned to the trenches, : when he was struck in the thigh by a portion of shell and wounded. Merryweather also told of the smartness of one of our airmen, who was brought down by the enemy, but who rendered the machine useless by removing the motor and setting fire to the wings of the machine. —"made in Germany"-—to which we are accustomed. There is little doubt that the dolls will eventually prove a commercial success. A boot factory on a co-operative basis is now being started and support is being asked, not in money, but in custom. It was this Federation that was responsible for inaugurating, a't the very beginning of the war, when distress was at once rife in the Bow street area, a specially poverty-stricken part, pure milk depots and restaurants for mothers. WEDDING. CHAPMAX-SPARKS. A very pretty wedding took place at St. llnry's Church ye.sterdav afternoon, when Miss .Bessie Sparks, eldest daughter of .Mr. and Mrs. G. Sparks, of Kapon<m, was married to Mr. J. Chapman, assistant borough engineer, and onlv son of Mr. .1. J. Chapman, of Tongnp'orutu. The ceremony was performed bv the Rev A. H. Colvile. The dress of the bride] who was given away by her -father, was a white tussore silk draped skirt, with an overdress of shadow lace, set off by the usual veil and orange blossoms. The lovely shower bouquet, made by the bride's sister, -Miss Alice Sparks, was composed of beautiful white roses and sweet peas. The bride was attended bv Miss.Alicc Sparks and 'Miss Winnie Chap*man, sister of the bridegroom. The chief bridesmaid wore a dress of white crepe de chine, with a pretty lace hat, decorated in pink. Miss Chapman also wore a dress of white crepe de chine, with pale blue trimmings, and hat to match. The bride's mother was dressed in a pretty grey poplin dress, trimmed with silk, 'a smart cream lace vest to match; grey crinoline hat, trimmed with ostrich feathers and purple pansies. After the ceremony the guests, some 40 in number, were, entertained at the Hygienic Tea Rooms. A large number of presents, including several cheques, were received by the happy couple, who letf by train for the South, amid a snower of confetti. The bride's travelling costume was of cornflower blue cloth, with a smart white satin collar, and a |||MM|fy^^g^d^itkvalenink

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