GALLANT FUSILIERS

Evening Star, Issue 16547, 5 October 1917, Page 5

GALLANT FUSILIERS

SliSfQ UNDER DRUM-FIRE. (Cabled to tho Australian Press.) Pino Robinson, writing in ‘Th O r I imes, says: Tim rain iV ceasing, and a strong wind is drying up the front, which is practically a marshland. A great extent of the area behind the enemy front consists of continuoiis shell holes filled with water. Both sides are using gas shells largely, and we especially, at Lens, where the ruined city reeks with gaa, making the defenders’ lives hideous. Our .artillery fire has caused great damage to the German heavy guns, compellmg their withdrawal on many parte of the front,- leaving only field guns in forward positions. _ The Gerrnart guns recently caught the Royal Pnsihers in a battered trench near Bioenbek.. Tho troops were compelled to stick it till the British guns could heat down those of the enemy. In the midst of the heaviest shelHng troops have endured in this war tho Fusiliers started singing ‘ In these hard times you’ve got to put' up with anything.” Other voices ; joined in from the whole line of shell holes where living, dead, and wounded were huddled together in bloodstained water. While the earth shook with sheTl- ’ hursts a nd the air was thick with fumes. ■ debris, ;|he chorus swelled out nugnliiy: If you live to be ninety-four, And carry on to the end ,of the war, You njay get leave, but riot before, Tbeso hard times. ( Ofcher troops hoard the singing and joined • ~ , * eafc ,: chonis swelling above the .battle dm and reaching as far as the mar--7u lh 5 g The fillers attended to the dead and cta-ed for the wounded, sinirth°y triced. On the following night the eong waa sung in a temporary lath-and-tarpaiilm ‘theatre, the chorus again being led oy the Fusiliers who survived the prarrom day’s hell.