BOXER AT THE FRONT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2796, 14 June 1916, Page 5

BOXER AT THE FRONT

I "BATTLING" TAILOR'S GAME WITH 1 • DEATH. Sergeant "Battling" Taylor, the wellknown boxer-soldier, has returned to Sydney again after having seen mora horrors and having gone through more adventures than fall to the lot .of most soldiers, even in these times of wonderful war deeds. He was twice buried alive, and several times found bullet' marks through his clothing or accoutrements. Blown up 50 feet at Neuve Chapelle was an experience of his; then he was knocked down by piece of shrapnel, which struck him on the head, and while falling one bullet went through the loose part of his tunic and another through his cap. Hot his troubles were Dot over, for as ho was getting from his knees to a horizontal position a tall knocked the bayonet off his -rifle, and, as if he had not enough excitement, another pellet struck tho butt of thei rifle and 'Gent it flying. A bayonet charge is also worth recording, and wo give .it in. his own words: - "Wo had got to the Germans' first trench, and I was opposed by a Prussian, officer. Lunging for his chest,; I spiked him in the -throat, but as I tried to get my riflo back his hands had closed on the barrel, and I could not extricato it. Before I had time to make up my mind what to do I saw another officer coming at me with his revolver, tut simultaneously with the movement of his arm I saw a good old British butt come down on his head." Is it, any wonder that this mail is suffering'from "nerves"? Bodily he looks as sturdy as ever, and his fa.ee has the vuddy glow of health. But it Is when he begins to talk that one realises the damage that has been done to him. Ho has great difficulty in uttering his words, and there is an uncontrollable twitching of head and shoulders. Still, he is improving overy day. The cheery laugh and the hearty grip are there when ho meets you. Ho is confident ho will get all right, and everybody who knows tho goodlienrtcd, courageous.fellow hopes that he will not turn out to he a false prophet.