LATELY A BOER FIGHTER

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 4, 6 January 1916, Page 4

LATELY A BOER FIGHTER

A UNIQUE SOLDIER. (BZ TELEORiPH.—SPECIAL TO THE POST.)

AUCKLAND, This Day

Corporal de ViUiers, of the Canterbury Battalion; is a unique soldier. In the South African War he fought with the Boers against the British. About three years ago he came from South Africa to New Zealand, settling in ihe country districts of Canterbury. On the. outbreak of the war"be promptly joined the New Zealand forces, and while on active service was made use of as a scout. He had some hairbreadth escapes while reconnoitring against the -Turks, and was put out of action for the second time_ on the occasion of the Suvla Bay landing. He was acting as guide to the New Zealand forces, who were proceeding .up the valley with the object of functioning with the British troops, who were working inland from Suvla Bay. Although.a scout is not .supposed to be found too prominent in the firing line, De ViUiers could not resist the temptation of lending a hand in the critical situation. After a heavy round of* firing, he realised that he was left without his New Zealand companions, the only British troops in sight being Ghurkas. He decided on a hazardous run through a saddle in the ridge, but his flight was held up by a bullet through the lungs. The Ghurkas 'apparently witnessed his fall, arid one of them courageously carried him in under fire. De .Villiers had an exciting experience,and a lucky escape. On an earlier occasion, while scouting, his. retreat was cut off by the intervention of n party of Turks, and on being sighted he was peppered by enemy snipers. The only way of escape was down the side of a ridge, jmd he placed his cap in a conspicuous position. The snipers fired away at the cap. during which time the scout got back safely. De Villiers states he is quite happy to be fighting on tho side of the British, and is ready to return for further service. . Before leaving England he visited a training camp of 7000 South Africans, which number includes about 2000 who fought with the Boers in the South African War.