HALCOMBE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XL, Issue 11437, 30 November 1915, Page 7

HALCOMBE.

From Our Own Correspondent,

Says' the London Spectator: “This war has been remarkable for the vigor and humour of the letters that have been written, not by literary visitors to the front, but by the soldiers themselves.” To me these , letters are always interesting and I have reason to believe that they are also of interest to the majority of your nnmerons readers; hence it is that I appreciate the privijege of reading and publishing extracts from a large number of such communications, the latest of which are to hand from Mr Charlie Eihcler, I who writes from Helawan Convalescent Hospital to a younger brother. The letter is dated 10/10/15. After many questions about home, its occupants and outside friends, Charlie says. “Now I will tell you a little bit about myself. In the first place I have written five letters to you and have not received one in reply. I have had a pretty good time since I left home, Ibar sickness. I was only over at u-aliipoli for six weeks. It was jolly good sport over there although the sport was a bit dangerous, but the boys don’t seem to care a rap whether they get shot of not. We forgot all about our lives. All we think about is bagging the nearest Turk. When a charge is on we go fair mad. We jump over the parapet with fixed bayonets and go “hell for leather” into the Turks’ rifle and machine gun fire. We never stop or turn back until almost every man has been shot down. If it’s a trench we are after we get it. If it’s an assault we charge and bayonet all we can get at and then j we go back into our own trenches. It’s great sport I can tell you. I wish I could have been in it all this time, instead of being here in hospital. Of course it’s not all sport. There are hardships ; sometimes we were days without water or food, hut we put up with all that I so long as we ate pinking over the enemy. I had my head nearly blown off several times. The first time it was a shell. The'Turks ■ were firing with “Silent Lizzie” and “Gentle Annie”’ at us op the beach —we gave these two guns ilioo& names because tbe shells from the one came along so quietly, while those from the Other gnu made a dead and dying sort of noise—but, by Jove, if those shells hit their mark and exploded they did a lot of damage. Well, I was down at the beach one day when these guns were shelling it and just asl was leaving again with my load of ammunition a shell lobbed just at my feet. Thank God it did not explode or I would not have been able to write this letter to yon. Another time a few of us crept up to the parapet of the enemy’s trench and we were waiting our chance to snipe some of them, when all of a sadden half si dozen bomb throwers passed close by us. We shot five of them before they had a chance to light any of their bombs, the sixth fellow got a bomb a light and threw it at us, it landed just at the muzzle of my rifle and exploded, but it only bit three of our party and I reckon 1 was very lucky to escape. However, I got a bullet bote through my hat and another through the sleeve of my coat. Tbe Turks are jolly good shots with the rifle, they beat most of our boys at that game. Since I have been ip, Egypt I have had a pretty “crook” time of it until the last few weeks. Now that I’m able to get about again I’m going to have as good a time as possible before I go back to Gallipoli as I may not get another chance to see the sight. My word, there is a lot to see here, though most of the country is desert. I was surprised to learn that Alex Adam had enlisted. He cannot be very old, but he must be patriotic He is setting an example to those other fellows who ought to have been over here long ago. Halcombe has sent a few already, but there are lots more who ought to enlist. This is perhaps the only chance they will have of showing their patriotism, their love for King and country. I wish I had enlisted when war was first declared (I told Charlie that ho was then under age) instead of waiting till after the Christmas holidays.” Charlie tells the oft repeated tale of letters and papers long delayed and of parcels that have not come to hand. He thinks there must be “stacks” of mail matter piled up somewhere, Charlie was reported to be in the hospital suffering from slight influenza. The doctor told him that there were three or four things wrong with him and tliey wanted to send him back to New Zealand, hut though too weak to move the pi ucky hoy protested and declared that he would soon be well again and fit for the front. In a hastily scrawled note to his mother,, dated 11/10/15, Charlie, says tfiat “All going well I shall he in Gallipoli again in two days on active service.” My very best wishes are with you my hoy. You are a credit to Halcombe. May you have a good time and good luck. On Friday last, as the outcome of a well organised conspiracy, engineered by the adherents of the Halcombe Lutheran Church, Pastor Dierks was rendered a proud, surprised and happy man. On the eve of the worthy pastor’s birthday the church was ablaze with light and floral beauties. Then and not till then was the presence of the pastor requested, to listen to the why and the wherefore of the unusually large gathering. This was briefly and sympatbetical'y told by the choirmaster,- Mr F. E. Palm, who then announced an admirable programme of vocal and instrumental items, which in the manner of their rendering were alike creditable to their talented teacher and his apt pupils, who included leading members of the Marten choir and sweet singers from Kongotea. During an interval in the musical portion of the proceedings, Mr L, Wisfinowsky, requested their beloved pastor to accept from the hands of his congregation a beautifully designed and suitably inscribed silver inkstand as a small token of their appreciation of his faithful services as their spiritual teacher and as their social guide, philosopher and friend. The speaker regretted his inability tu fully voice the sentiments of the donors, who had largely profited by the ministrations of their esteemed pastor during the six years he had been with them. He was a worker and he; the speaker, hoped that this recogntiion of his services would encourage him to continue his efforts for their betterment. Pastor Dierks was visibly affected when he rose to reply, his words, however, ware heartfelt and to'the point. “He had

no other wish than to lead them on to a better life and teach them always to be loyal in thought and acti on to their King and to the country of their adoption. His was a large pastorate extending to New Plymouth, Taumaramii and Rongotea. with periodical visiting to Auckland and Christchurch. Wherever he went he preached the same doctrine and gave utterances to the same loyal sentiments. He confessed, however, that he was always most happy when with them in Halcombe. From his heart he thanked them for their beautiful and useful present which would servo to remind him of the unforgotten.” Later in the evening all present were invited to proceed to the schoolroom and there partake of a sumptuous supper provided by tbe lady members of the congregation. Conspicuous among the many good things so lavishly provided was a beautiful birthday cake, the loving handiwork of Miss Wishnowsky. This having been cut and distributed further singing and speaking followed. In musically honouring the toast of their pastor a capital version of He’s a Jolly Good Fellow was splendidly rendered. Much regret was expressed at the early departure for America of their choirmaster, who has done such good work during his residence in New Zealand. The master of ceremonies here called upon The Father of Halcombe fora speech and of course the old boy at once responded, but I have neither time nor space to record what he said further than that • he was pleased to he present and assist in doing honour to Pastor juierks, who when this terrbile war was forced upon us had at once shown in an uumistakeahle manner that he was loyal to our King and constitution, and had expressed the hope, that the blighting curse of militaryism would be crushed out of Germany There can he no shadow of a doubt that the pastor’s wish and the wish of many millions of good men and good women will be gratified In lighter vein the speaker said that Halcombe possessed such a powerful attraction for Pastor Dierks was not surprising when it was remembered that his sweetheart remained with us while he travelled round his extensive circuit. Mrs Dierks’ charming personality and smiling welcome was the magnet that not only attracted her wandering mate, but that which also made sunshine for all in her vicinity. Pastor Dierks “pleaded guilty to the soft impeachment” and thanked tbe speaker for the kind things lie had said of Mrs Dierks and himself. “God Save the King” was lustily sung and then Home Boys Home.