DETERMINED AUCKLANDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1916, Page 7

DETERMINED AUCKLANDER.

HOW HE GOT TO THE 7 FRONT. REFUSED TO GO'BACK The following* story of'an Aucklander, whose name it is requested shall not be mentioned, is a good illustration of tenacity and of determination to get into the danger zone. It is written to relatives in Auckland:— tVe hear—not from himself, but from many others—that ho did splendidly at Gallipoli. For himself he says that he determined that he would go "all out," doing the best ho could, for he never expected to get away from the peninsula. We learn now that he should never have gone there. He was detailed to remain in Egvpt, but he smuggled himself on a transport. Before arrival at Gallipoli he was discovered, and ordered to return to Egypt in the ship, but he got a man to take his rifle and equipment and jumped in a pinnace as she was quitting for the shore. After a day or two he was again discovered at roll-call, ajd ordered for detention, but found his way to some other part of the line. Found the third time, he was put in a dug-out with a mounted guard over him, tat a shell burst near by and scattered his two guardsmen, and my noble youth marched out. He was again brought before the colonel, who .said, "Well, I see you mean to stay here!'' '"Yes, sir!" "Well, you can stay on the condition that you do A.S.C. work." So ho stayed, as they could not well get rid of him, but when asked if, with the knowledge he now has, he would do the same again, he says, '•'No fear! I'm a blooming hero!" says that discipline was thrown to the wind there, and he almost wore out the office carpet or being up so often before the CO., but apparently there are no written records against him, and his misdemeanours have not been serious—though probably these have prevented him getting the D.CjM. He had a brus-h with a major, who laid a charge against him jut the result wafe that was exonerated and the major sent away from the peninsula, but he must tell you of this himself one day. He tells without -blushing o; Ito'r he "pinched'' a case of 4S tins of chicken from the officers' mess, buried them in his dug-out to be used as required, and his exploits in cooking with other tilings "pinched," making scones with fruit salts instead of baking powder, and the like. Egypt they found wearisome beyond telling, and they are delighted to be in. the green pastures of tl(c Homeland once more. It was a great joy to them to get out of khaki into mufti in the evenings and to sleep in a bed again. We.are deeply thankful for his safe return, and trust he may have a spell at Salisbury Wains.