THE GALLANT LINCOLNS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144650, 9 April 1915, Page 7

THE GALLANT LINCOLNS.

• "NO GERMAN EVER GOT PAST THEM." One of the things Hint have impressed themselves on my mind most permanently (an oliicer of ute Lincolnshire Regiment says in a letter published in tno Oaily Mail) was the sound of tho farst "Jack Johnson" ripping through the air. it came lairly eany, too, as the regiment was marcuing to the front line trenches at the tune. Wo wore still some two wiles or so from tho firing line when, without much warning, wo heard above our heads a noise something liko running water as it nppios over stones. Then eighty yards to our right "Crump 1" and a hue ready-made duck pond was produced. We marched through what must have been a charming village, but tho wreck devastation, and ruin of that village would make any head ache. All tho liltio household goods wore still hanging on tho walls exposed to*tho air. The whole of ono side of a house I noticed practically blown out, tho roof off and tno washing Still hanging on tho line as it was put out to dry in the kitchen but hastily loft when tho Gorman shells commenced to fall. Tho first advance in pitch darkness to tho firing lino is jump work. Ono feels so absolutely at sea in a country one has never soon by daylight, with shots flying about all over the place, and not knowing in the least whore they are aiming; hut one gets settled down after a time, and business commenced as usual.

My 'regiment have had their share of hard work and have done magnificent service, and I am proud to bo able to say ii. They have saved the situation time after time. They have suffered, as any regiment is bound to who have boon through what they had to face. They captured a whole battery of German guns, and killed every man in it. They have boon faced hy fearful odds, and stood like rocks.

The greater pan of tho credit for this is duo to the commanding officer. If ever a man ought to have a Victoria Crass, with two or throe bars on it, ho ought. Ho ia always in the thick of the fighting and always ready to help anyone in difficulty. Wounded three times, fortunately only slightly, ho is her© still, full of life and spirit, over cheerful, and continually in tho firing lino trenches encouraging officers and tnon. A regiment cannot help hut do well with such a load. Wo all know, of course, that his services will bo recognised, but no honour is too groat for him; and there is not ono of tho round dozen men in the rcgpmcnt who have already earned the Distinguished Con'duct Modal who would not pin it on their colonel to-morrow.

One night the regiment was ordered out in & burry where help was required. A certain general was riding by, and in the dark said, “What regiment is this?” Someone answered ‘Tho Lincolns, sir.” “Oh, wo are all right then,” replied tho general. The other day an offioor belonging to a Scottish regiment asked what regiments wore in the brigade or division that were supposed to liavo lost some trenches. The other mentioned the so-and-so’s, etc., and the Lincolns. “Then, I don’t believe it,” said the Scotsman, “for no German ever got through the Lincolns.”

I fool it is an honour to serve with such in on, and under such a colonel. Tho war seems, I am afraid, to many at homo to bo at a standstill, but it is not so really. Tho state of the country, the water and mud, render it impossible for either side in many places to do any brilliant work or make any real attacks. But we leave tho enemy alone. Wo are weakening the defence all the time, harassing the enemy with both artillery and infantry.