HUMAN PIN-CUSHION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11504, 28 September 1915, Page 1

HUMAN PIN-CUSHION.

I 11lHIGHLANDER'S MANY WOUNDS. NEW YORK, August 21. John Costello, who, as a private in the Gordon Highlanders, survived twenty-nine bayonet and sabre wounds, cam© here as a steward on the liner New York from Liverpool. Among his churns in the Highlanders Costello was known as the " human pin cushion." Every bayonet charge added five or six wounds to his " collection," until finally he became so battered that his officers decided to give him a furlough. Costello went to Liverpool, aud finding an opportunity to make pin money booked as steward on the New York, as soon as his furlough ends he intend* to ask that he be sent back to the figktm§ front in northern France. "I don't believe any German gun has error been made that can get me," Costello said. "I've seen shells mow my comrades down by the scores, yet none of them has touched me. It was a different story when it camo to fighting with bayonets. It seems as if I've I received more bayonet thrusts than any one else fighting in the Highlanders, but Fiu thankful to say that none of them was severe enough to keep me the hospital for any length of time. Tho steward rolled up his shirt sleeve on his left arm and pointed to ten wounds, some of which had not healed entirely. Tlhmi lio bared his arm, on which were counted fifteen scars. He asserted he had four more wounds on his shoulders and' chest. Costello spoke of the efficiency or the German machine guns, asserting in one encounter 450 men in his regiment were wiped out iu five minutes by maclmieP ''M o re deeds of bravery will be recorded after this war than are to]d in the histories of previous wars, he said. -