OUR MEN IN EGYPT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144712, 22 June 1915, Page 6

OUR MEN IN EGYPT.

AN OPTIMISTIC NOTE. By 'khis week’s mail a friend in Christchurch received a letter, dated Cairo, April 17, from a member of the Wellington Mounted Regiment, who was reported killed in action at the Dardanelles last week. . The letter is interesting as s T*Owing the cheerful spirit of th 6 young soldier who was so soon to give his life for his country. He wrote;—

“Just a few lines to let you know that lam still well and in Egypt. I thought wo would bo out of hero before now. It is altogether different to what I thought it would Ire. I thought we would get our training and then into it. 1 think we will get out of hero as soon as they get a landing in the Dardanelles. I wish I had joined tho Infantry. . . . You said yon wore going to send me some socks. Don t do it. I can. get all the socks 1 want. . . . The letters sent from here about the hardships we go through, also about tho food wo got, and the complaints about not getting onr mails regularly, also about gift stuff being sold in the canteens, are all written by youths who should never have left their mothers’ apron strings. When gift stuff is distributed to 10,000 men there is very little for each man. That is the whole trouble. Wo are getting os a day and found in tho best of food and clothes. I think we are well enough paid. Lot the people of Now Zealand give their gifts to .the poor Belgians. Some write Homo about our officers. Personally, I think New Zealand officers are a grand lot. There is no ‘side’ about them. I was just telling vou this so that you will not be sympathising with me in your letters. I nope it will not be long before I do go through some hardships.”