DURATION OF THE WAR

Otago Witness, Issue 3211, 29 September 1915, Page 12

DURATION OF THE WAR

MAY BE A MATTER OF YEARS. WHAT BEING UNDER FIRE MEANS. “ On leaving New Zealand I felt that the war would be over within a year, but now I should not be surprised if it is a matter of years.” This opinion was given to a representative of the Auckland Star by Chaplain-captain Clarkson, who has returned to Auckland. Strangely enough, the condition of calm after storm is not always the most welcome to a soldier. “ What strikes one here,” remarked Chaplain Clarkson, as he drew the bedclothes closer about him, “is the quietness. One can feel it.” Tire returned chaplain was attached to the hospital ship Dongala, which stood close in while the Dublin Fusiliers and the Munsters effected that first difficult landing at Cape llelles. He witnessed the River Clyde incident, and went ashore under heavy fire on the following day. This was when Father Finn was shot. Between 4 p.m. and 9 o’clock that night he superintended the burial of 206 hero Irishmen who had fallen victims to the awful slaughter of Turkish fire. They, were laid to rest in one large grave, the size of an average room, and throughout the service Turkish shells were bursting around. The chaplain commenced wearing a surplice, but on the advice «f war veterans he agreed that it offered too good a target. Several times the burial party had to leave the graveside and dart into temporary dugouts which afforded shelter Yom enemy shells. After that Chap’ain Clarkson read the burial service many, many times, being ashore both at Cape Helles and at the more northern point where the Australasians landed near Gaba Tepe. He then left for Alexandria on a hospital ship, which carried between 500 and 600 wounded New Zealanders and Australians. During the short voyage he read the service over 57 soldiers who were buried at sea—-said to be a record for any one trip. “ The most difficult landing of all,” was the chaplain’s remark when asked about the happenings at Cape Helles. It was more difficult than the Australasian landing because of the elaborate defensive preparations, including barbed-wire entanglements. Many of the poor fellows on leaving the boats were trapped beyond the power to get clear. On the first night ashore ambulance men and all who could hold rifles were pressed into the firing line in order to keep back the threatening Turks. In this the British were assisted by a line of barbed-wire entanglements which the Turks had themselves erected near the edge of the cliffs. And while the Dublins and Munsters held grimly on the warships in the offing sent lyddite shells over their heads into the enemy’s ranks. To hear the whirr of those shells and to see them burst was aweinspiring and wonderful. But eventually the British established themselves, as only Britishers could have done, and a footing was maintained.