THOSE THAT FELL OUT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20345, 4 May 1915, Page 8

THOSE THAT FELL OUT.

As we doubled up the road Maxims were playTng on us, and the shells were falling very thickly. By now our men were beginning to take short rests and short runs. Other men were lying m that grotesque attitude that needs no second look.

After a time I thought it was up to me to take breath, so I lay down by the roadside close to a ditch. In a minute I was ready for the next dash. The shells were coming very frequently direct from our front. One burst a few yarcfe from me, and I knew I was hit. Lying there, I waited and thought for a little while. I couldn't go back and I couldn't go on, and it was certain death to stay where I was. By this time T had no idea where my regiment.was, so T got into the trench, which took time as the Maxims were busy here. I explored and found a nice dug-out with dry straw. It was now about 3-30 p.m. . I decided to .wait till dark, as I felt perfectly happy in, these more or less comfortable ' feurroundings. At dusk, as I made my way out to find the company,. I saw a lot of men lined up in the road but could tell they were not Warwicks by their size. "Who are you?" I asked, "Grenadiers," was the reply. I then asked where the Warwicks were, and on being told proceed, ed in the direction stated.

I jnet a ddctbr, who asked me where I was going.. He said, "Nonsense," and turningsaway gave an order to an R.A.M.C. man, wno took me into his care. I then walked to a small rest place, where I had a drink of oxo. The ambulance cart took me with others to '- , where my wounds were dressed. I .was inoculated, and put to bed.