FOUGHT LIKE TIGERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1915, Page 7

FOUGHT LIKE TIGERS.

"WELLINGTON BATTALIONS HEEDIC WDEK, HOW COLONEL MALONE DIED. Chaplain-Captain Father McMenamin, writing from Gaba Tepe, dated Aug. 25, refers to the great attack of August, and of the death of Colonel Malone. Father Maples, of Stratford, to whom the letter is addressed, has kindly permitted publication of parts of the letter (says the Post). The reverend writer, who is returning by the Willochra says:—By this time you will have heard of great fighting which hag taken place here during the last three weeks. AfteT landing here, we had heavy fighting for a couple of weeks, and th«n settled down to trench warfare, which is a slow and wearisome ■business, On August 7th, a further advance was decided on, and for}four days the fighting was simply terrific. The first fortnight's fighting was only child's play compared with this. I was up in the thick of it during those four awful days, and I hope I will never see anything like it again. Our men, and many British and Indian troops charged a succession of hills and held on grimly despite most desperate counter-attacks. Our boys fought nobly, and I can say without boasting, that there are no troops to excel them. No matter how severe the assault, they never broke or wavered for an instant.

I cannot tell you of our losses, but the casualty lists will tell their' own tale. The greatest loss that our infantry brigade suffered was in the death of Colonel Malone. His work over here has been magnificent, and he has proved himself to be every inch a soldier. In this last great fight he rose to the occasion, and made fame for himself and the Battalion he commanded. On Sunday, August 7th, his men had the foremost position, and from daylight till dark, they fought like tigers. Colonel Malone, who did not know what fear was, remained all day in the thick'of the battle, encouraging his brave men by his own example. About 6 p.m., he wa3 struck, down by a burst of shrapnel, and died without a word.

The Chaplains over here have both had rather a bad' time. One priest has been killed and two wounded. The two Protestant chaplains, who landed here with me on April 25th, have both been badly wounded. Father Dore, who came from New Zealand with me, was shot in the back la9t Sunday, but I am happy to say that I was able to "get him away quickly to the hospital ship where the doctor assured me that the wound was not serious. An Australian Presbyterian chaplain who was hit about the same time died a few minutes after being brought in. We chaplains are not taking senseless risks, but there is absolutely no safety line here, and we are under Are of some sort most of the time. I have to thank God for my narrow, escapes, and so far have not ftee'n touched. lam keeping fairly well, but am worn and very thin. The weather is trying, and the hills are very steep. The doctors had insisted that I should go away for a rest, and I made up my mind to go on the very day that Father Dore was hit, but then I cancelled all arrangements, and will now hang on till some other priests come. A month ago I would have heen sorry to leave my soldiers, but now they have nearly all left me, so I could go away to-morrow with no regrets.