"THE MAN WHO WAS."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15884, 3 April 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

"THE MAN WHO WAS."

HOW A PRIVATE CAME HOME. On'E of the traditions most respected in the Honourable Artillery Company is that of "spick-and-spanness. - ' The biggest shock, therefore, that this corps has received for a, long time took place the other night when the senior private of the battalion at the front—he joined in reported himself at the Finsbnry headquarters, in a "rig-out" that would almost have embarrassed Robinson Crusoe. His grimy, smiling faeo was almost hidden by a dilapidated Balaclava helmet. His A.C. badge, was fastened on with a safety pin, and one shoulder strap was secured by a gleaming white trouser button. Only two buttons secured his overcoatsone a Belgian .military button and tho other a black metal trouser button. His haversack was precariously seemed with string, his bayonet flicked about in tho region of his knees, and his general accoutrement jangled as he walked. The condition of his rifle caused his comrades to blush, and the warrior himself was plastered from top to toe with mud. > "You see," he apologised, "the. leave is short and it's a long, long way home and back, and when tho word reached mo in the trench I got tight off the mark. I did not want to waste a minute."