BLOWN UP BY A SHELL

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15335, 20 July 1915, Page 8

BLOWN UP BY A SHELL

A BUGLER'S NARROW ESCAPE

In the course of an interesting letter from the hospital in Malta, Bugler McDonald, of tho 6th (Hauraki) Company, brother of Mr A. McDonald, of the Wellington Harbour Beard's staff, writing to his relatives in Wellington, says: — "I was blown up by a shell at 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 9th There was very heavy fighting at tho time. Wiien 1 came to 1 couid not tell what exactly had happened. I was completely buried, witn only my head abovo ground. 1 knew my left side had sutlered, but to what extent I couid not tell. It was a dark, cold night, but the sky was red with the bursting of shells, and bullets were flying round us as thick as ram. If I live to see this war out 1 shall never forget May 9th. Two of my mates came to mv assistance and dug mo out of mv prison, which took about half an hour. Thank God they were not hit, for they wero bravo fellows and deserve great praise: every moment I thought the whole three ot us would be blown clean oil th" earth. It i s all over now, and I do "ot wish to recall it I am now in hospital in Malta, aiid netting every can- and attention. We could net be treated better if we were home in New Zealand. I was assisted off the boat by two English ladies—tho first English ladies 1 bad spoken to since I left Hobart. . . . "When we cot on the wharf there were lots of girls there with baskets of flowers, biscuits, chocolates cigarettes, matches, and cakes, which they gave to each soldier as he was carried off the boat After they gave us an the little comfort" iv the way oi refreshments we were then taken m motor-cars to the hospital- The nurses here are very kind, and the people on the island are always coming round with cigarettes and chocolates for us, so we want for nothine. I would liko you if possible to b-t the people of New Zealand know how much they owe tbe people of this small island for the kindness tbev are showing towards their woundod sons here.