A NEW ZEALANDER IN BELGIUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3330, 9 January 1918, Page 39

A NEW ZEALANDER IN BELGIUM.

Sir James Allen is in receipt of a letter written in Belgium 'from his one-time private secretary, now Lieutenant F. G. Matthews. Lieutenant Matthews, in the course of a lengthy letter, states that there is nob the smallest possibility of members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force losing their characteristics or touch with their native land. He further states that he waa acting as quartermaster of the battalion to which he was attached. Referring to the Hun gunnery, Lieutenant Matthews states that Fritz cannot approach the British 4a artillery when their guns are in order, but the Huns' machine guns and gunners have to lie reckoned with. It was at ——■ that he had his first experience of holding outposts. They" saw no Germans, but their shell-fire at times was very hot. Some of the British companies lost very heavily, and the company to which Lieutenant Matthews was attached lost its captain and sergeant-major, and for a few days Lieutenant Matthews" was in charge of it. They were then .moved to the back area, and had a most peaceful time. .Referring to his duties as quartermaster, Lieutenant Matthews says he has to attend to the feeding, equipping, etc., and has practically to father the whole battalion. It was quite a big business rationing the men, and was rather trying at times, especially when the shells were flying. Bombing was a favourite game of the Huns, and the writer was puzzled to know how they had not hit the quartermaster's camp, which they had attempted to do on more than one occasion. The troops where he was located were well fed, and were cared for as possible. They were in good heart in spite of recent losses. He thought the British were a very philosophical race-, "tor thev go ahead no matter what happens." Quite a large quantity of gift goods came to them from New Zealand. Recently 24 cases reached him at 5 p.m. ■ Afi 8 p.m. the same day the battalion had orders to be ready to move off at daylight next morning. He kept possession of the gift stuff, but it was no end of trouble to do so, as the transport difficulties are so great. The 24 cases referred to consisted of parcels from the Lady Liverpool committees The parcels in one lot, intended for individuals." were wrapped up in handkerchiefs, and consisted of eatables, such as tongues, toffee, etc. Another lot- consisted of cornflour and tins of milk, but as the battalion was in camp at the time such things were of no use to the individual, so thev were handed over to the camp cooks to be issued as rations. Lieutenant Matthews considered that cornflour and preserved milk were most acceptable things to forward to individual soldiers, also jam, which never went amiss. Both jam and milk were issued as part of rations, but they did not get immense quantities of either.