A Lively Bit of the Front

Firs

-oh, M

nishment; then, recovering himself, g

, Dick, what b

all the fun? You impshied without even asking me to chip in. Enough to make

Hug

me day. Told me he could get along very well without us. I doubt it though. Smithers is an ass with th

g str

lf-way up the Horseshoe. There were a few disintegrated remains of J

Malcolm and Dick, left Christchurch for Port Lyttelton

English drill sergeant. The exceptions were those men who for some reason had not undergone military training while at school. Now they had cause to reg

late in the afternoon, soon brought the detachment up to a state bordering upon perfection, and the word went round that the Thirt

as soon a standing joke that Dowit never could "do it" properly, except to grouse. Yet

ith dummy bombs had been completed, and now came the exciting part

throw three bombs over the parapet at a target twenty yards away. It was a bright moonlit night, whic

aight, or anything like it. He'll be hitting the top of the parapet, and letting the

move to warn the serge

men acquitted themselves well, including Carr

want me to say it all over again? 'Hold the bomb firmly in the right hand, at the same tim

arm's length. At every complete circle the head of the bomb missed the edge of the parape

e squad were either flat on their faces or else disappearing round the

he rear of the trench. They promptly and precipitately scattered, some taking to their heels, others throwing themselves flat upon their faces in momentary expectation of a terrific explosion. A subaltern, however, did

g. At imminent danger he placed his foot upon

ados and run to the extended group of officers. "It's only a dummy. I had my

or breathlessly, for the blow from th

romptly transferred to the bearer section. For the time being

d for strength and strenuous activity--while at the ranges both lads gained a high percentage of bulls, and

knew that it was but a temporary step, all non-coms. reverting to riflemen on arrival in England, before proceeding across to France. Neverthe

boxing, and a variety of other indoor and outdoor games contributed to the men's enjoyment; and, although discipline was well enforced, there

e to Trentham--the final camp before embarkation. It was a point of honour that no man should fall out during the arduous fourteen-hours' march over The Sum

th like bees. They made plenty of noise, "barracking" each other like boys out of school. The

s of the route. Notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, crowds of civilian friends of the departing troops accompani

men burst into song. It was an unwritten law that each draft should attempt to sin

ence aggressively known as they chafed the men's legs; rifles were being constantly shifted from shoulder to shoulder or carried at the trail, as the

latoon-sergeant Fortescue to Malcolm. "I had my doubts about T

the size of half-crowns, and one boot is almost full of blood. He wouldn't

said concerning Tosher. All the same, I'll speak to the Company Officer and get

. English born and bred, he had gained a degree at Cambridge, and, failing to tur

hich an ornate classical education did not count. Down on his lu

tions?" enquir

ood at Greek Iambics and La

joined the man of law bluntly. "This is a

ail in straight, found it particularly so. He had grit. He got on well with his fellow farm hands, who promptly dubbed him "Fortyscrews", a name that was eve

manfully, was mentioned for gallantry in an affair at Quinn's Post, and was brought back to Ale

f again. Re-enlisting, he was offered a staff job at Featherston, but declined it, preferring to see more fun at the Front. For

nto camp at Trentham. Their stay was but a short one, for three days later th