BACK FROM THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1915, Page 8

BACK FROM THE WAR.

t.ui.wakiaxs emit: HACK. A\ I.Vl'hir.'llvV.' WITH TIM'. MUX. By last night's lfiil train there ieturned a number of Taranaki men who have been wounded in the defence of the Kmpire. or who have been invalided home on account of falling sick in the trenches, whilst doing equally good service for their country. These men returned to New Zealand by the Willoehra, and in addition to the llawera men, they included Limit, liartnell, Pte. K. Hine (N T ew Plymouth). Pte. Amos (Pungarelni). I'te. Hansford (Xgaere), Corp. C. P. Barker (Stratford). Pte. E. Payne (Inglewood). Trooper Bieheno (Waitara). Sergt-Major Seidell remained in Dunedin. and Ptes. A. Maxwell (Stratford), <i. Nicholls and Hayward (Inglewood), will return to-night, the two last-named remaining in Wellington to see Pte. R. Nicholls, who is still in hospital. The men left Wellington in commodious carriages, comfortable stretchers being provided for the cot cases, of which there were only two on the train, viz, Pte. E. Hine (of New Plymouth), and a Wanganui case. Sergt.-Major Biggins had charge of the men, who were attendeil by Dr. Pattie, of Wellington, and Inspector Burrell had charge of the train. The men, many of whom were accompanied from Wellington by relatives were accorded enthusiastic receptions all along the line, none more so than in Taranaki. The stations at Hawera, Kltham, Stratford, Inglewood, and New Plymouth were thronged to greet them, but the most inspiriting scene was at Inglewood, where the band played the welcome strains of "Home, Sweet Homo."

Lieut. Hartnell, who was accompanied by liia wife, left the train at Leppel'ton motoring to town later. Three men returned to New Plymouth, viz.: Privates E. Hine, Hansford, and Amos. They, were given a hearty reception by a crowd on the station, and as quickly as possible the first-named Was motored to the hospital, where he will be an inmate for some time.

A representative of the Taranaki Daily Xcws had the opportunity of conversing with the majority of the returning soldiers, all of whom looked happy and pleased to be in Xew Zealand again, though all expressed readiness to go back to the front if ealledlupon.

Lieut. V. H. Hartnell said that it had been a great experience. People were under the impression that they had had a terrible time, but he said that he could look back on it with pleasure, and was glad he had not missed the opportunity. Of course, lie growled at times, but that was an Englishman's privilege.. Many of the men said that if there was another war they would content themselves with going down to the wharf and waving flags, but he felt convinced that the majority of them would be the first to volunteer. He was enthusiastic in his praise of the Xew Zealanders and Australians. For the class of fighting wanted on the Peninsula, he did not think they had anything to learn from anyone in the world. For pure bludgeon work, i.e., fight and win one trench; then fight and win another; there were no better troops in the world. The thought of running away or turning back never occurred to the Xew Zealanrtora, though he had seen troops on their flank run on two occasions, when the fire was excessively hot. Though they had lost a lot of men from their own guns, the navy had done such good work that they could not complain. They owed a big debt to tne navy for its work at Anzae. It was marvellous the way in which the guns were handled. He witnessed the sinking of the Triumph, which was a fine, though sad, sight. Reverting to the homecoming, he said it was worth all they had been through to meet the welcome they received. Two of the finest sights he saw were the rosy-faced and chubbylegged youngsters of Dunedin, a striking contrast to the wizened white children seen in Egypt, whilst the native children were- not fair to gaze at. He did not think our country was appreciated as it deserved, unless one put a little time in the desert. In Siivla Bay, there was some very good country, whilst they could see in the distance some fine undulating country. Private E. Hine, though he has been confined to his bed for the past five months, looks very cheerful, and felt gratified at the warm reception that was accorded him at every Taranald town where his prowess and gentlemanly bearing in the wrestling arena made him so popular. He was glad to get back again, as Egypt was a difficult climate for wounds. They had a fine trip over, and were given great receptions at Dunedin and Cfiristchurch, though he thought, it would be more to the point if they gave men. After landing at Anzae, they had some hard work in going straight to the firing line. For a couple of days they could not get any water. Their losses, especially those of the Australians were heavy. The Australians went too far and ran out of ammunition. For the matter of four or five days, the Turks had them at their mercy, as their artillery was well placed, whilst ours waß on the boats. There were very few of the main body left. He had the hard luck to be shot in the left thigh by a mate, Sergt. Laughan, who was cleaning his rifle. The bullet went through his hip and lodged in the bank, but septic poisoning set in and he had already undergone nine operations. He paid great praise to the great work of the stretcher-bearers, who were heroic in bringing the wounded from the trenches. The snipers were responsible for a lot of casualties, especially when our men were entrenching after gaining ground. Private Hine's wound was dressed by the firstaid emergency straight away on the beach, where he remained for a couple of nights before being placed on the transport and taken to Pont de Koubbeh hospital, at Alexandria. The hospital was staffed with New Zealand nurses and doctors, and the former worked day and night. He saw Dr. Wylie, and Nurse McAllum. Dr. Home laadhd with the troops. At one time it was feared that Private Hine's leg would have to come off, but the doctors were most attentive and devised a patent splint. Dr. Acland, of Christchurch, operated on him. He had been in the hospital longer than anyone, when removed to the Willoehra. Captain Weston came through the hospital while he was there, and he slsc saw Major Fletcher. He referred to the death of Colonel Malone with regret. Though a strict disciplinarian, Colonel Malone was a fine man, and Private Hine said half-discipline was no good; men must be .kept up to the mark. He also saw numerous other Taranaki men. Lou. Robertson, an old opponent in the ring was as game as a pebble; he had risen to be sergeant, and he used to sneak out of the trenches and do a little sniping on

his own account. ''Xorky'' Dewar lost his life in replacing a sand'iaJ which the Turks had blown away and which lie would not allow anyone else to replace. The Turks, said Private Hine, have learnt to know the different regiments. They never tackle the Gurkhas, Australians, or \cw Zealanders, but as sure as Kitchener's Army—many of whom are bits of boys—are in the trenches, they attack and drive thorn out. It repeatedly happens that after the Gurkhas, Australians, or New Zealanders have taken 400 or 500 yards of trenches that the Tommies cannot hold it. The Gurkhas think a lot of the Xew Zealanders, whom they call "the White Gurkhas." He said that the Turks had pitted their best men against the Australians and New Zealanders, but the Turks did not like the bavonef.

RECEPTION AT HAWERA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Hawera, Last Night. A large crowd thronged the railway station when the express arrived this evening 1 , and gave a splendid welcome to Sergt. C. P. Giles (of Hawera), and Sergt. W. MeCook (of Opunake), who were invalided home on the Willoelira. Several other men from this part of the district returned by the Willoelira, but these two were the only men to come home to-day. When the train drew into the .station the crowd cheered enthusiastically, and the appearance of the two men on the platform was the signal for a further demonstration. The Mayor (Mr. E, Dixon), briefly addressed the gathering, and extended a hearty welcome to the returned soldiers. These men, he said, had gone to Oallipoli and had fought with some of the finest soldiers in the world, and had nobly played their part in the defence of the Empire. Theirs was an example to every young man present, for the time had now arrived when every man who was fit and could possibly get away should enlist. Mr. Dixon said that if he belonged to Canterbury or Otago he would advocate conscription, but he was pleased to say that Taranaki had respended to the call so well that all the quotas from the province had been provided, and there remained a surplus of recruits. This was a splendid position of which the people of Taranaki should be very proud.

With three cheers for the returned trooper 9 and three cheers for the King the crowd dispersed. RECEIVED IN WELLINGTON. By Telegraph.—Pre*i A*joci»tioa. Wellington, yesterday. A hearty welcome was given the 320 sick and wounded soldiers who returned to New Zealand by the Willoehra. The Monowai arrived early, and the Auckland, Napier, and Taranaki men went on in special carriages attached to thfe express trains for those districts. A reception was given to thu others in the Town Hall, where speeches were made by the Governor, the Prime Minister, Sir Jos. Ward, the Hon. James Allen, and the Mayor