All That was Left of Them.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7903, 1 August 1904, Page 3

All That was Left of Them.

Sorrov/ful Monie-cotung of the

Hampshire Regiment,

On July 25th, ISSI, tho Ist Battalion of the Hampshire Bcg'ment lelt I-lonie for India. Of the 455 men 01 the' battalion who landed at Southampton from the transport Assaye last month only fiviv were survivors of the original ,>arty. Sickness and death have .played havoc in their ranks during the long, period of active and foreign service which tho Hampshires have seen. Two more- survivors are fighting with the three companies, still in; Somaliland, but all the otlijrs have either answered the ] a st roll-call or have left the army for another sphere of activity. With the exception ot tho.last 12 months the time lias 'been)■ spent at Indian stations. That last y.;au Las been the worst of all ; the experiences of tlie Hampshires in the Aden hinterland were trying in the extreme. Fever and ague decimated the rank's, and reduced tho. *urylvors to a most pitjable condition of weakness and emaciation.

A number of thosp who landed last rnoath were human wrecks, Mid one man, though convalascent, was unable to walk without assistance, ar.d was literally skin and bone. Fourteen1, absolutely helpless, wore sent on to Netloy. .

Of the 1500 soldiers on the transport, 400 were on the sick list.

A large' crowd assembled to greet the troops, the Mayor, the Depv.ty-Mayoi-j..;jthe .-sheriffs, and the town clerk being, among those present. The. former.-.-..officers of -the regiment anda 'band were "there to celebrate what should have been an occasion of rejoicing. But there was sorrow in the air.. It was a painful home-com-ing-. ■

The feelings of the crowd were 'particularly' stirred by one incident which, possessed all the elements o£ tragedy. A woman had come a long way to welcome her husband, who belonged to tha South Wales .Borderers, searched the decks with eager eyes. Not seeing- his face., she asked a -transport ofiieer who... was going on board to inquire where .he Avas.

Keturning to her side soon afterwards, and taking her away from the crowd, lhe officer gave her a message. Its effect was betokened by the poor woman's terrible cry of uncontrollable grief.

Her-husband had died on the way home, and had boen buried in. the Red tfea. ;