WITH THE ALLIES IN PRANCE AND FLANDERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2729, 25 March 1916, Page 13

WITH THE ALLIES IN PRANCE AND FLANDERS

FREDERIC .COLEMAN-—WAR LECTURER.

Nest Saturday evening, at the Town Hall, a distinguished international journalist, in the person of Mr? Frederic Coleman, will commence a series of lectures, entitled "With the Allies in France and Flanders." Mr. Coleman is an old campaigner and war correspondent, and as a member of the Royal Automobile Club Corps he was attached to the Headquarters Staff and was an actual eye-witness of many of the Titanic struggles that havo taken place on the Western front. How Mr. Coleman saw the war is indicated by the following letter from the famous cavalry leader, Major-General' de Lisle: —"My dear Coleman, —I was so pleased to get your letter containing the announcement and outline of your proposed lectures. The lettor brings back vividly the interesting, as well as dangerous, journeys we spent together in your, powerful car. From the beginning of the campaign to the time I was transferred to another division, my davalry never went into action without your ear moving backwards and forwards from the firing lino to my headquarters, and I hope you will make it clear to your audiencos that you did not view the fighting from a position miles in the rear, as is necessarily the case with correspondents. I see you have reproduced the photograph of the car after our headquarters were blown up outside Messines, but I wish I had a picture- of your face when you missed your gear the morning that shell burst in our faces and smashed the radiator and wind-screen. Well, good luck, my dear Coleman. Whatever life may bring you, you will always admit that you never spent a more wonderful time, one that can never be forgotten, than the months you spent in the front line with my Ist Cavalry Division." The ; lectures will bo illustrated by some realistic pictures taken by Mr. Coleman himself, as official photographer to tho Headquarters Staff. One of these indicates tho peril photographer in tho firing line. It shows a shell bursting right in front of Mr. Coleman's camera, the photograph having been taken by an officer in the vicinity. Mr. Coleman's car was hit by Gonnan shells on six occasions, and lie himself was wounded three times. In addition to tho opening lecture on Saturday evening, others will bo given on the following Tuesday and Thursday evenings, April i and 6. Tho plans will bo opened at the Bristol Piano Company nest Thursday morning.