BACK FROM THE FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1918, Page 6

BACK FROM THE FRONT.

MOKAU BOY'S IMPRESSIONS. (From Our Own Correspondent). Rifleman Cecil Randell, Mokau River, worthy son of worthy parents, has just returned from the West front. Prior to leavi; Mr Randell belonged to the Xltli 'laranaki Rifles and left New Zealand with the 17th Reinforcements lie wn r wounded at the battle of Mcssines, a fragment of high explosive shell oarry--1 ill!? away the major portion of his left arm. From thence Mr. Randell was, sent across to England, where lie spent some two months in the Brockenlmrst Hospital. Thereafter he was transferred to the hospital at Oatlands, where he put in another two months, and from there again was invalided home to the Dominion. Rifleman Randell is a good type of man, and, excepting for the loss of his arm, is hale and hearty. He states the boys at the front to be in excellent spirits .and to have no douliF whatever regarding the final issue of the war. Questioned as to the food supplied the troops on the field, Mr. Randell said hehad been pleasantly surprised right from the first. He said whenever practicable at all, the men got at least one good hot meal a day, and not. as he had been led to believe—bully beef eternally. With regard to the comparative physique of the German and Overseas soldier, Mr. Randell said there was reallv little to choose between them, and he had daily opportunities almost of seeing the former as prisoners were continually passing through to the back. He paid a high tribute to the men of the ambulance corps, and to the work of the Y.M.C.A., which body pushed its huts close up to the fighting line and dispensed hot tea and coffee while the battle Was in progress. While on leave Mr. Randell visited a good part of England and Wales. Everywhere he was treated kindly, and no one seemed able to do too much for him. The Welsh, lie found, were a particularly warm-hearted people. With regard to the coming great offensive projected by the German High Command, Mr. Randell states he thinks they will find they are "up against it" all right, and will not have the "walk over" they seem to expect. Hereupon Mr. Randell stepped on 'board the launch, and with his good mother was soon on the way to their home on the Mokau River.