FROM THE FRONT,

Inangahua Times, 4 October 1915, Page 4

FROM THE FRONT,

WriHnp to his parents in Hoki-1 tika, unOv! cue July, l3tV», Private G P Breeze, who ha* since bf en killed in action, say* '. Jus' a hat to let you k owl am still in the land of the living. Bill and I are still pegging away. I have not been sick since I joined and have not had to attend sick parade since I left Hokitika. It is a"hard life; and I have lot pretty well all the mates I had in Hokitika as the casualty list will show. There is one thing you never know what the day will bring;; forth. That little song "Still Keep Pegging Away "is the only way to sum up active service. When you are not pegging away in the trenches, you are pegging away with a pick and shovel.' Plenty of work, p -:; tucker, and practicallv n* 5r:.,;.. Hike the life, it I could oaiy have two good nights' sleep a week. We have days off here, but the heat and flies makes it impossible to sleep, enough said. The sights I have seen, the experience, and education and the knowledge that I am fighting the good fight, amply repays for all the hardships of the past and future. I see by the papers re Canadian Tobacco Fund, and I think charity should start at home.

The Mew Zealand " boys " here car, do with all the gift tobacco, as the tobacco we get here is not much, mostly musty and often not fit to smoke. I am pleased to see you have not forgotten Belgium, but what about little Servia and the Cold North ? both these seem to be absolutely forgotten in New Zealand. Thank Miss Gladys Macandrew for " Daily Mail Oversea's Tobacco Fund," I was the lucky one to get her gift it was mixed up with gifts from all over the world, Japan, England and Australia. I put my hand in the mail bag and took my parcel, 5 packets of cigarettes and a packet of pipe tobacco. I got a pleasant surprise when I saw who the gift I was from. Remember me to all ! in Hokitika. I received all the letters and was pleased to hear from the boys. I will not be sorry when war comes to a successful and victorious end, and I am back in " My Litile Grey Home in the West." Jack Nancekivell was reported missing, but I would not let you know till I was certain, as I knew it would worry his people. He is wounded and in Malta, and will be with us in the thick of it again iwhen vou receive this. Hugh Bonar got it through the head. He smiled at me and waved his hand and spoke to me a few mitt" utes before. He fought and died like the man he was. George Woolhouse was also shot in the head and killed, in the same gallant charge, also Sam Browne. Three brave men gone but not forgotten. Poor old George Willets got killed with a bomb when charging a certain position. He volunteered like a man and died without a moan, He died bravely in the midst of the fray. All the boys had an easy death, killed instantaneously, no pain, no regrets. But, oh, for the poor fellows who have to lie for hours ,wounded and in exposed positions, the Red Cross not being able to get near them for hours, sometimes not till dark.