A DRIVE FOR LIFE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1924, Page 7

A DRIVE FOR LIFE.

HEROISM OF CHAUFFEUR. HAILSTORM OF BULLETS. TWO SHOTS TAKE EFFECT. By Telegraph—Press Ausn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 21, 10.20 p.m. London, Nov. 21. The story of the bravery of the Sirdar’s Australian chauffeur ('Fred. March) is told by Lady Drummond Hay, the special correspondent of the Daily Express at Cairo. Visiting the Anglo-American hospital, where the Sirdar was lying, the correspondent followed a pleasant English nurse into a large, bright room, furnished in English style, where she was t<> March, who was lying in bid, and, in spite of his wounds, he was cheerful. Born in Australia, he travelled to America and Japan, and speaks French and Arabic. He arrived in Egypt Jia 1915 and went through the Gallipoli fighting, end also served in Palestine and Syria until the armistice, Since then he has been in Egypt. He owned a garage but failed. He then undertook private work. “The car used by the Sirdar is mine,” he said. “I had just bought it. It has had a good christening, don't you think? 1 hope the Government will repair it and fill up the bullet holes with putty.” Lady Drummond Hay adds that March was apparently ignorant of the Sirdar's cr.-tical condition in the next room when be spoke. March's story of the shooting is as follows; “After leaving the War Office I was obliged to drive slowly crossing the tramway lines. Suddenly I heard a report. I looked to the right and saw just alongside three revolvers pointed at me. There were five men, Effendis, you knew the sort, standing right on the edge : of the footpath. I iri-mediately changed gear, realising that to get away quickly was the only hope of saving the party.

“I imagine seven shots were fired at me, because seven empty cartridge cases were found in my place. They continued firing at the Sirdar and his' aide, while I drove on to the Residency as fast as I could. Ten shots hit the car. One bit my arm and another the bones in my right leg, causing the greatest pain. “I lowered by head, determined to avoid the shots at it because I realised I was responsible for the fives of those behind. How I avoided the traffic I don’t know, but instinctively I followed the road to the Residency. Wsen I arrived there 1 was unable to move owing to the pain. Subsequently I was carried inside, where I was congratulated by Lord Allenby (High Commissioner of Egypt), the American Minister, and others. Then I was brought here to hospital.”