SOLDIERS’ LETTERS?

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4012, 19 August 1915, Page 6

SOLDIERS’ LETTERS?

LIFE IN A DUG-OUT. i GISBORNE BOYS “AT HOME.” NEWSY LETTER FROM THE FRONT. In course of a newsy letter to a friend from the trenches in Gallipoli Sapper Bert Greene, formerly of the “Gisborne Times” mechanical stall', states: — No doubt at this period a word from any of the old “Gisborne Times” staff will be welcomed by x you. I think I told you in my short letter from Lemnos that I had seen a good deal ol “Little Mac” (Private A. it. McLaueklan) round the camp at Zeitoun, but since our landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula I have strangely enough seen him more often than before, I had the good fortune to be allowed to land with our company on the morning of the fateful 25th of April, allhough our motor bikes have not yet been in requisition. I was attached to a cable section, and in this way got well up amongst the excitement, just at the foot of the hills which have been the scenes of some of the most violent fighting round Sari Bair, tho reports of which” will have reached you long ero this. IVe have now boon m this position for just, over eignt weeks, apparently awaiting developments, and of course by this Line wc have got quite accustomed to our little dug-out homes. Mac and George Evoriss frequently visit ns hole, being only a few hundred yards from thorn trenches. Occasionally wo take a t-np up to them on a return visit, nub this being my day “at home. ’ and only two visitors (Mac and “Piper hyson), j have settled down to attempt to clear up a hit of my correspondence. Mac brought several copies of tin* “Gisborne Times” with him, win n wero greatly appreciated, as they keep us in touch with the- old town and give us fresh topics for conversation. Wo get sick of hearing wild rumors and fictitious war news, and a little speculation as to the probable Carnival Queen, or the chances m some well-known “gee-gee’s” in certain races, proves quite refreshing, road your etter to Mac and was more than interested. I should say. I devoured it, for I had not received a letter myself from anyone lot ovU three weeks Gordon Somervell luQ been down to cur dug-out irequeiitly the last- week or two, and yesterday Oscar Solvander and ‘‘Dug- l aram paid mo a visit, bo you see we ku|> well in touch with one auotlu i. “I was down on the beach ioi swim yesterday and again hmt ' i a Duncan, who for a time baa Ins du out alongside us. We get on fan' ) v, ell for rations, and each take!* ni. turn as cook, so wo get varied ■ Occasionally wo can menu, but stews and bully f’ l^ l , are our “long .suits. ' In wandci uL .omul the various bivouacs wc come across some quaint and ingenious hi tplaces, but the majority ««*««■ pie structure known as. the R» sn ‘"tovo • several gashes being ciu. in id empty biscuit tin; and tney are as economical on firewood as any. ‘•Before concluding on my last sheet of cadged paper, I should like you to tell Percy Fromm that some or Ins ok. friends are with me in our detachment, One, an old .D'-g]cwood ■' boolmate named Bill Nieholls, ami -Q , other, Harold Masters of Strati Old, who is also a friend of Gordon Some - veil. Bill Nieliolls intends paying mm

a visit after tho war. , “Excuse more now, as 1 have a i - other letters to u rite and very Utt.o time before dark. Give my. kind regards to all and toll all the ooys that- “ ino would bo very acceptable. \o a mi'dit also remember me t-o any tail friends of mine; I’H take the risk o. any endearing phrases you add.”

“TIMES IS HARD.”

A SPELL FROM THE TRENCHES

Writing under date June 2o to his relatives in Gisborne Private i • A. MacDonald, who is attached to the Otago Battalion (Fourtn Reinforcements) says:— , ’. . “At last I have an oppoi tumt-y to write vo.i a short letter. We came out of "the trenches this morning for a few days’ rest. A rest here moans clinging trenches, carting water, etc., hut it is a welcome change from the firing lino. This is an awful place for flies, there are millions of them an they torment tho life out of us i have got my boots off to-day f° r yd third time in nearly four weeks ami it seems like heaven. 1 would liko ■<> tell you all the news, but- the, censor will not allow it. I can only tell you this much, that we are all doing; ow bit towards helping and the General told us the other day that ho Q- 1 - very satisfied with ns. It would treat vour heart if you were here ana the littie graves dotted all over the pace, a sflent token that so-nnOjo has done his duty. It is remarkable ho\. soon one gets, used to being under li e. To Si! burst oil von'il «"<> * we" take no notico of them. ' not deny that I felt very cpieer at fifft for a few hours, but I am now reconciled to the life. I s will ho a- long war. For £ OO mko send mo some tobacco and chocolates ' 1 stole tho roll of toilet papei on which this is written from the troopship and bought the ‘mU from an Australian for a hob. bo jou sec, ‘times is hard.’ “I am afraid there will he some heavy losses again beforo the unspeakable’ is finally put aside. Wo have had beautiful weather until a week ago, since then it has been showery, and when you recognise that wo have to live in little hoics dug in tho ground (commonly known as ‘bivvies’) rain tends to dam mi ones ardour. We arc having a spell a little way behind tho trenches, but personally, 1 would sooner he in the trenches,' because wo aro pulled out any hour of tho day or night to go on fatigue, digging saps, carrying stores, etc. 1 was working m a sap yesterday and wo wero right under tho Turks’ trenches. . It gives one a peculiar feeling working in tho dark. 20 feet under the ground, and right below- tho Turks’ trench. Of course, they are sapping too and I. suppose it will bo a ra'co to see who will be blown up first. I am still on. tho lookout for ‘stripes,’ but I am afraid they are very scarce and tho 4th Reinforcement men will have to wait a long time before they will get any. You seo tliero are all the older hands to he considered first when the-ro aro any stripes going. Then there aro cur Reinforcement N.C.O.’s (the- all reverted to privates when they arrived hero)': They will have an opportunity beforo us, and then, if we are lueky, wj may have an opportunity. However, I am living in hopes. Several of our men aro away from here, wounded, sick, etc., but wo expect a lot of thorn back shortly. Matches and tobacco are priceless here and it i„ a common sight- to. seo a man sell his dinner (and we don’t got too much to eat) .for7a cigarette. Ye Gods,' if I get homo again, X wm smoko all day and all night and only knock off to eat.