WITH THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4846, 18 April 1918, Page 5

WITH THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

BATTLE OF THE BIG GUNS

HEROIC Y.M.C.A. WORKERS

(Special Cable from the Official War Correspondent.) April 14,

At present wo are really more interested in the northern battle than our own, for we know every inch of country over which the Germans have been advancing, and have many reminiscences of headquarters we occupied and homes we lived in there when first we came to France and after the Somme battle. Many of these have now passed into German hands. While the guns in that battle are heard clearly in England no sound of it reached us here. For the past few days activity on our front has been confined almost entirely to the artillery. During the greater part of the day this is normal, but at times it reaches a giant crescendo and the crashing 'of big guns engaged during the night in harassing the area makes sleep for the time being' impossible. The weather is variable; one day .bright warm sunshine, another a black winter. Our Y.M.C.A. .has been doing splendid work under most difficult circumstances • Provisions and tobacco were salvaged out of Albert while it was burning and the enemy were at close quarters. Thousands of cups of cocoa are supplied daily to our men, and comforts are even distributed in the front line by our devoted Y.M.C.A. workers. A divisional canteen was promptly established and it does an extraordinary trade, the takings averaging about a hundred thousand francs per week. It is patronised by the English^-as well as the New Zealand troops. Private J. R. Piicl, of the Otagos, and the following machine-gunners have been awarded thqr Military Medal for acts of "gallantry during recent fighting:—Lance-Corporal P. Riposio, Sergeants A. Detteret, J. M. Gordon, A. G. Nolder, Corporal 0. R. Jury, Private J. Tatham, Lance-Corporal J. Horne, and Private W. Twentyeige.