WAR NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 163, 16 December 1914, Page 7

WAR NOTES.

RECOMMENDED FOR Y.O. A vivid story of the battle of the 'Aisnc, and of the gallant deeds which 'have led to his being reconmiended for the Victoria Cross, was told to a Press •representative by Private J. Warwick, of ■the 2nd Durham Light Infantry, who is 'now in the Manchester Military llos'pital. When it came to ilhe point of 'giving detail's of his bravery Private 'Warwick was Tory reticent. ''l do not wish to speak of myself," he said, "for all our men fought well." Gradually, however, lie was led to unfold the fol'lowing graphic story:— ' "The Germans were entrenched not ! eighty yards away on the other side of a hill, their trenches being far more ■formidable than ours. We 'had not very 'long tio wait before shells and bullets began to fly about m in all directions. 'Our men tried to rush up the hill, but first one and tilth the other fell under ■'the hail of fire. I ' ,'• "The Germans were at least twenty to one, /but our men held their own, fighting as I .have never seen men fight before. We have a great leader in Major Rohb. He led the men splendidly. Lieutenant Twist, ono of out number, tried 1/> advance with a company up the hill, but he was quickly shot down. 1 saw him shot, and although the shrapnel was flying and bullets were coming like rain, I made a dash and brought him back to the ' trenches. "Then I saw Private Howson, a Dar'lington chap, fall, and I succeeded in ' bringing him from the firing line. The poor chap was shot through the neck and the shoulders, though I believe he is 'still living. I then went back and succeeded in bringing Private Maughan. 'My last journey was the most difficult of 'all. I had to travel over the crest of 'the hill to within thirty yards of the German trenches, and how I escaped 'being killed 1 really do not know. I ' crawled on my stomach, and got, along ' as bust. T could, and T am glad to sav that 1 succeeded in bringing Major Rohb 'hack rieht. as it were, from the verv noses of tIM German-;. Tt was a hard 'job -o "A- liini.. and in mv effort T was shot through the back and fell." GFVF.UAT/S VOW OVER SOX'S RODY. A wounded officer relates that on Castleman. ho was seriously wounded. ''September' 8 Lieutenant Gerald Tie 'Oastlcnau. who was seriously wounded, 'was brought to his father, General Do Oastlcnau. The lieutenant died in the camp where the general was stationed 1 with his staff. The father leaned over the bodv of "Iris son, and embracing him, '.said: "Mv (sorij, you have had the ■' finest death that one could -wish. T 'swear that our armies shall avenge you 'hv avenging all families of Eranre."Then General De Castlenau left the body 'after covering the face with bis handkerchief. All those who were present ' and beard the vow were deeply moved.