A SOLDIER’S STORY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22114, 18 November 1933, Page 4

A SOLDIER’S STORY

" The Gallant Company: an Australian Soldier’s Story, 1915-18." By H. R. Williams. Sydney: Angus and Robertson. (Os net.)

“ The Gallant Company,” by H. R. Williams, formerly a private, n.c.0., and officer in the 56th Battalion A.1.F., is a narrative based upon the author’s diary and letters written during the period of his active service in Egypt, on the Suez Canal, and in France, and is a true-to-life portrayal of the daily routine, the hopes, fears, joys, and hardships of the average Australian soldier in the Great War. In a foreword, Lieutenant-general Sir Talbot Hobbs, K.C.8., K.C.M.G., V.D., late G.O.C. of the sth Australian Division, describes the book as “ the best soldiers’ story I have yet read in Australia. It is written from within the battalion, of course, and yet is so general and so lifelike in fidelity to his scenes that it would illustrate any infantryman’s story in whatever unit he served in France.” In reading the narrative one may also read between the lines. The clear, concise wording portrays not only the devotion to and absolute confidence in his leaders, an admiration for his comrades, and a sympathy for their sacrifice am) sufferings, but reveals also a deep-rooted love of the Empire and his native land. “ I was fully aware,” he says, “ that the time was close at hand for me to prove my claim to be called a member of the British Empire, by the right which the Tommy sergeant-majors in Egypt used to tell us was the only recognisable one—namely, that of a man’s having spilt his blood for it.” The book is not without its lighter side. The penpicture of the company cook, a fullbloflded and indescribably dirty aboriginal, 'and tbe pranks and jokes of comrades on leave in “ Blighty ” and even in the line are humorous in the extreme. i s^ the work, though a “ war book, a description which, unfortunately, has not, with the passage of time, improved in its implication, throws a'badlyneeded light upon the better side of war, contrasting with the horror, the filth, and the suffering, the heroism, selflessness, and endurance of those who. in the hour of crisis, unhesitatingly submerged self in country. J. F. G. S. •