THAT WHICH COUNTS.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 20, 30 July 1920, Page 1

THAT WHICH COUNTS.

There were times in far-off New Zealand When folks were inclined to chaff, And they treated the little medical Corps With a careless word and a laugh. But those of the boys who have seen the "game," And have been through a battle "stunt" Are the ones whose opinion we care for, They know — those who've been to the front. And they greet hs with friendly faces And "How goes it, Digger?" they say, And when we are oarrving wounded It's "For the stretcher-bearers, make way." I have seen the face of the stricken, The flush and tear in Ihe ey.e, As we lifted him on_ to the stfetcher While the shells went hurling by. And I've heard him say in a whisper, As we staggered and floundered through, C'limbing o'er mud and shell-holes "God — but you're good boys — you!" We've worked till we got paat caring In the stinking poisoned mud, And we've gone on stretcher-bearing With our stretcher soaked in blood, We've seen our pals go under To bull.et, or gas, or shell, W tih their pohr limbs toru asunder Suff'ring the tortures of hell. So we heed not the sneer of the new c.hum, Or the jokes that some people throw, For we get wbat is worth the having — Respect from the bovs who know. R. B. Lambert, /2981, No. 3 N.Z. Field Ambulance, France.