THE BIG UNDERTAKING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 6, 7 January 1916, Page 2

THE BIG UNDERTAKING.

PRIVATE "BOB" SPEIGHT'S SHAKE. IN GALUPOLI FIGHTING. "" Word has recently been received by his relatives in Auckland from Private Robert J. Speight, who left with the Fourth Reinforcements ac a member of the Auckland Battalion, and who wae wounded on August 8, as to his progress in hospital. Private Speight, who is a son of Mr. W. J. Speight, of Auckland, and'before 'his enlistment in the employ of A. and T," Burt, Ltd., after receiving his injuries in. the biggest battle fought on GaUipoli,' was removed to hospital at Malta. He remained there till November 23, when he wad sent to England. Writing from Fulham Military Hospital, London, he nays:—

"When I left you laet April I told you that. my intention in joining the Army vrae to .gee some of the world, and so far I have been more fortunate than either you or I expected, Incidentally, I have been able to lend a hand in the 'big undertaking, , and have succeeded in putting quite a few Turks out of action, and myself along with them." Three attempts-were made while Private Speight was in hospital at Malta to extract the bullet which canned hie removal from the firing line, but it was not till he reached England that the doctors were successful in locating it. Referring to his fourth arid final operation, he says that at last the doctors had succeeded in removing' the original cause of hie trouble. It was half a bullet, quite insignificant, which was found at the base of hie epine. "I don't know what became of the other half," he writes, "but I hope it is etOI out in Turkey. 1 have had to go back'to bed for a time, but it ought not to be long before I am all'right again. "Last week I was at two 'Aasac' entertainment. The colonial troops are in big demand by the ladies of London. They call for lie with their cars, and take Uβ round London,. finishing up at their residences for tea, and returning us in good order and'condition at about 8 p.m. ,In.eprte of the bad weather both times I have been out I have had a very interesting and enjoyable trip. It is very queer how one meets these people. They introduce themselves and offer you hospitality, a»d that is all you know of them/ -Most of them have visited Australia and New Zealand .at some time or other. I suppose that is Why , they interest themselves in the Amrncs, as they call us. The hospital authorities do not intend Uβ to get loat in London, and wo aim only allowed out on oar own for three hours on Mondays end Thursdays. If anyone likes to call for as and guarantee safe custody we can get out at any time. You.can understand bow easy, it is to work this system, once you have made a few friends outside. "I expect to get'back to the front by Christmas. ' I suppose our new front will be eomewhere in the Balkans. ■ -

"London just now is all excitement over the reported resignation of Lord Kitchener, and one newspaper office, the 'Globe,' has been seized as publishing ihe news, om- a- fact." - ; : _