A SOLDIER'S LETTER.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13929, 10 July 1917, Page 1

A SOLDIER'S LETTER.

CORPORAL J, T. BENNETT AT CODFORD. In an interesting letter to a friend in Oamaru, Corporal J. T. Bennett, writing from Codford in May, pays a tribute to the work of the Y.M.C.A. amongst the soldiers at camp, He says: "What they do for us here is great. When we came to Codford it was a broken-down camp, but within a week a Y.M.C.A. cove was tlicrfc too, and now' there is a lino concert hall, billiard room, and games, papers, writing rooms, pianos, etc., and they soil us all wc' require at-cost price. In London tlie Y.M.C.A, is homo to us. They supply cheap meals, good beds, and comfortable houses to stay in, and give us nil the information wo require. They meet all trains, day and night, and wc only have to ask to find out any information we want. If you can ever do anything for tiio Y.M.C.A., do it, no matter how little it is."' Corporal Bennett, recalling his associations with the Athletic Football Club, says there are plenty of Athletics 'in England, and all appreciate the benefits of the services of the Y.M.C.A., who are a means of protecting the soldier? from overseas from the "harpies and sharks" who abound everywhere. Referring to the journey from New Zealand to Enphiml,' Corporal Bennett says it was really most enjoyable, and though they had some narrow escapes, all the dangers were forgotten. The life and work of I lie training camp was very strenuous, but leave^' during which visits had been made' to London and Scotland, relieved the monotony, Cor, poral Bennett, though evidently not enamoured of England, speaks in 'glo ing terms of I lie Scotch capital. Co''poral Bennett had met quile a number of Oamaru boys in/"England, and he mentions that some of the men who had returned from franco had been under the command of Captain Jesse Rodgers, who, they said, had made a n'aine for himself. Corporal Bennett refers to a review of' the '<bri:nde to which he belongs (the Foui'tll Brigade) by the King, for which they marched from Cod'Vvil to Sling and back again, a distance of about thirly-hvo mile::, occupying a day each way. The letter concludes with a reference to the German prisoners in camp upon the appearance of whom Corporal Bennett says he is not "shook."