WITH THE RIFLE BRIGADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1916, Page 3

WITH THE RIFLE BRIGADE.

LETTER FROM A RAHOTU RIFLEMAN. Writing from Aerodome Camp, Heliopolis, under date of November IS, ;lo his parents at Rahotu, Rifleman 11. Baker, a well-known Taranaki rifle shot, who left with the first battalion of the Ride Brigade, states that they arrived at Suez on November 13th, reaching Heliopolis ;two days later. They had a remarkably smooth passage of five weeks from the date of sailing. En route they stayed two days at Fremantie, one being spent in a march through, and theiother on leave. They were well received, admired and treated by the public on account of their good conduct and marching. His troopship, tho Maunganui, which carried the First Battalion (in all, 1500), reached Suez first, and the Warrimoo carrying 500 of the Reinforcements followed'close. The other three transports arrived three days later. He gives a good description of the trip to Cairo, and says that before this letter reaches New Zealand his people would probably have heard that they have been in action. They had packed their kits the previous day in readiness for an order which will come any minute and most likely take them to the Canal, where the Allies were engaging the enemy. They were expecting a rising among the Greeks at Alexandria. The Imperial troops, Indians, and some Australians left about an hour previously for the Canal, and the 2nd Battalion Trents had an order to go somewhere. The Ist Battalion could not go at once on account of vaccination. The 2nd Battalion were vaccinated on the boat, but the vaccine the doctor used was no good. Tho news heard from wounded soldiers did not tally with what was printed in the New Zealand papers. A train load of wounded Indians bad just come back from the Canal. There were more troops than ever .there had been. Besides those engaged, there were over 100,000 itroops in Cairo camps, which were dust alleys, there being no grass or plant life except at irrigated places, where there were beautiful crops, etc. At the time of writing Rifleman Baker was in good health and spirits.