THE SEVENTEENTHS

Grey River Argus, 3 February 1917, Page 6

THE SEVENTEENTHS

FIRST DAYS IN FRANCE. j A Christchurch member of the 17th [ Reinforcements, writing from "some- ' where in France" under date of Det cember 14' th, says: — We have had our days in Sling, in [London on leave (three days) at one of the coast towns, and were then hurried across the Channel. And don't the transports cut it out, too ; and don't the escorts bob up here and there as if waiting for something- to do. Ninety minutes and we are on t foreign shores. Parade and on to the rest camp, where we are made comfortable and given a soldier's meal Next day up and away by train again. At our next place we are hardly through the g-ates before every man j has his rifle and bayonet (without stopping), and then into the bell tents; another meal (8 p.m.) and away to tents to sleep, as only soldiers can. The "bull ring-" has always been painted black, but it is the best home we have had for quite a long- time, al-thoug-h at no time have things been as rough as I anticipated they would be. Plenty of food and rest is the order of the day here. . We have now passed through ouv "live gas test" and the "tear gas shells." One poor unfortunate man succumbed to it, but it "was r-mg *~ his having removed his helmet before he had completed the journey. The "tear" gas is great. It is, laughable to see even the giants emerge from the trench with real live tears streaming down their cheeks — it seems to make even the most hard-hearted softhearted. The camp here is five miles square, and there are men in it from everywhere.