Over the Top With the Third Australian Division Part 4

Bill quickly established himself amongst the 'boys' as a general favourite. This enviable position he still occupies. On account of his duties as bugler requiring him to be one of the first up in the morning, and one of the last to retire at night, he sought a change of duty. He became a bandsman, then a stretcher-bearer, and eventually was detailed to a.s.sist in a cook-house--in cook-house terminology an 'off-sider.'

Though Bill had as much military experience as most of us, we could not think of him as a soldier. That our opinion of him was justified the following incident will ill.u.s.trate. A party of officers, including a staff-major, was inspecting cooking and billeting arrangements in our quarters. Bill, who happened to have a couple of hours off that day, was strolling towards the party. He was in cook-house attire--tunicless, his hat well back on his head, shirt-sleeves rolled to the elbow, hands deep in his breeches pockets, a cigarette between his lips. Regardless of the critical eyes which were focused upon him, he sauntered leisurely towards the officers, and when in line with them he nodded and said 'Good-day.' The officers stopped, and one of them peremptorily inquired, 'Aren't you a soldier?' 'Oh, no,' he replied; 'I'm D Company's cook!' His reply so amused the officers that he was allowed to continue on his way without being reminded that as a soldier he was required to salute all officers.

After spending a few weeks in the cook-house, he asked permission to go to the trenches when the battalion went into the line. The transfer was effected, and he made a start with real soldiering. No amount of discipline could transform him from the free-from-care, do-as-you-please individual into the polished soldier. One evening he was posted over the gas-alert in the front line trenches, when a sh.e.l.l exploded a few yards in front of him. The explosion caused his hat to disappear and the concussion projected him into a dug-out. Only the solidity of the wall prevented him from going further; as it was, the force with which he was hurled against the side of the dug-out made a deep impression on the damp wall. He lay in a motionless heap in the corner of the dug-out. A N.C.O. rushed along the duck-boards, thrust his head into the dug-out, and anxiously inquired of Bill as to whether he was hurt. Bill by this time had partially recovered from the shock. His small steel-grey eyes gradually opened. The N.C.O.

again asked if he were hurt. Bill's eyes rolled, his lips moved, and then he blurted out, 'Oh, no, only my feelings!'

Bill is not a man to make a fuss about anything. He has no time for red-tape in any shape or form, it is true, but whatever work is a.s.signed him is always done satisfactorily. Whether he is any less a soldier or his efficiency as a fighting force impaired because of his failure to meet the rigid requirements of an exacting military regulation is a matter concerning which there might be a difference of opinion; but this at least stands to his credit: he knows no fear, is the life of the unit, and the battalion to which he belongs would sustain a distinct loss by the removal of Bugler Bill, &c.

A TRAGEDY OF THE WAR

From strife they now march back to smiling farms, Recoiling from the crash and smoke and roar.

Meadows, all verdant, faerie fields, whose charms Serve for a s.p.a.ce to make them as before.

And peaceful pictures of the days of yore, With thrilling thoughts of those they left behind Flash thro' the mental vision, and a score Of letters brightly occupy the mind Without a care, or woe, or doubt of any kind.

Anon they journey from this place of rest By night or early dawn back to the brink Of that volcanic crater where the best Sit tight, scarce caring if they swim or sink.

Silent they bear it, as they quietly think The end approaching to their life at last, And face each other, with a smile or wink Outwardly stoic, tho' their hearts beat fast As, thumping down, great sh.e.l.ls come racing in and past.

Erase such thoughts from out the o'er-wrought brain, Think rather of this freshness, and the sight Of nature in her harvest dress, refrain From plunging into the eternal night.

Such contrasts seem the only choice by right Of those who battle for the joy of life.

Out on this troubled spot where Armies fight, And peasants labour just behind such strife Shorthandedly, unhelped, save by a child or wife.

So come with me down hedgerows, down the glades, And thro' the cosy glens, till far away We come unto a hill-crest--lights and shades, Bright coloured landscapes far below us lay, Blue mists and fields of yellow corn and hay, In rows like soldiers, now the tired eyes see, And poplars guard the distant dim roadway, Whilst near the wind sighs thro' the acorn-tree, Till one feels hushed, serene, contented, almost free.

And here, tucked back behind a leafy lane, Low in a pocket of some sheltered ground, An unpretentious farm, so snug and plain, An invitation in itself; when found, Only a whining howl like dingoes' sound, Reminds one that there is a war near by.

The tools of peace see littered here around, Weapons by which men learn to live, not die: A plough, a drill, and there a binder standing nigh.

'_Bon jour, m'sieurs_,' a little hunchback cries; A wizened, twisted human form divine; She flashed a look of welcome from her eyes, From which the soul of ages seem to shine.

'_Entrez_,' she welcomed, and her face looked fine, As proudly bustling o'er her clean stone floor She bade us linger, eat, and drink her wine.

Refreshed with food and drink, we loiter more Within such cool retreat, delaying '_Au revoir_.'

And soon the human tragedy in course Of progress thro' that little home becomes Clear to the senses, and to us much worse Compared with our Australia's peaceful homes.

For, oh, the pity, as one's vision roams From there to here, and back on wings again; A rush of feeling and emotion comes, Whilst hearing this contorted piece of pain, The stirring times of all their troubled lives explain.

For she to whom Fate seemed at first unkind, Now lives an angel in a higher sphere.

This pained and twisted cripple seemed to find Pleasure in living for her kinsfolk dear.

Hard work an honour, in her duty clear To wives of brothers in the fighting line; Women and children gather round her here; For round their hearts her nature did entwine, Her beaming face proclaimed 'See, Anglaise, they are mine.'

And all around these chubby children play, Dirty, but happy, fed and cared for well, With ne'er a troubled thought the live-long day, For they know little of adjacent h.e.l.l.

The hunchback warns us we are not to tell About the 'Allemagne' whilst they are nigh, Since all have known him in the past too well.

'Let them forget it as we often try.

_C'est la guerre_,' she said, and quickly brushed her eye.

And then she whispers, as we loiter near, The story of their young lives years ago, When, s.n.a.t.c.hed from cradles, with a frenzied fear, Their mothers hurried on before the foe; Their men defend and screen them as they go, And fight a rearguard action with the brute, Who cares not for their agony or woe, But only for the blood-streams and the loot.

And now she sees us watching one poor little mute: 'Ah! this one?' and she pointed to the dot Who sat alone, and smiled to vacant s.p.a.ce, 'Waits for her mother; very hard her lot; For years now has she waited in her place.

"Where is her mother?" I can never trace Somewhere beyond across "the no man's way."

Some day, perhaps,' she cried, with yearning face.

The tiny mite, tho' happy, could not play, Except with little restless hands all day.

'Sometimes the sh.e.l.l come here right by,' she said.

'The other day, when I what you call wash, A big boom quickly pa.s.s above my head, And fall out in the field with a big crash.

But, oh, those children, they so very rash, They know so little of the dreadful doom.

I come in time to save a fearful crash, And catch them with the nose-cap in this room-- The nose-cap, unexhausted, from the boom.'

And then we start, inclined to say farewell.

We try to brighten up the little maid Who sits alone, perhaps in faerie dell; For she doth seem not in the least afraid.

She, smiling, takes the pennies which we lay Within her hands, tho' distant is her smile; And for a s.p.a.ce she seemed with them to play, But drops them ere we're scarcely gone, awhile We wander back, half dumb, hard, thinking for a mile.

G.P. CUTTRISS and J.W. HOOD.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "She, smiling, takes the pennies which we lay Within her hands...."]

RECREATION BEHIND THE LINES

[Ill.u.s.tration: The Horse Show]

The military authorities have ever recognized the importance and value of recreation in connexion with the training of men. They realize that 'all work and no play makes Tommy a dull boy'; and the provision that has been made for recreation and amus.e.m.e.nt for the 'boys' commands the deepest appreciation of both rank and file. The Australian is unaccustomed to the rigid restrictions of an inflexible military regime, and a temporary relaxation contributes much towards eliminating that feeling of 'fed-upness' to which he is so susceptible under monotonous and trying conditions, and certainly a.s.sists in making him a less dissatisfied soldier.

The sporting instinct is so ingrained in the average Australian that amus.e.m.e.nt and athletics have become part and parcel of his life, and his efficiency as a fighting force has been increased in consequence.

His well-knit, muscular frame, and cheerful, free-from-care disposition, and love for clean sport, have won for him a place in the estimation of those who know and understand him, which is the envy of many. Australia has given to the world champions in almost every branch of sport, and the traditions which have been established on the football and cricket fields and in athletic circles in years preceding the war are being upheld and added to by her sons 'somewhere in France.'

A General's task is by no means an easy one. He has to safeguard against dissatisfaction, which invariably is the primary cause of breaches of discipline. He requires to be tactful in the handling of his command, gain the confidence of the men, and enlist their undivided support; yet every consideration must be subordinate to the supreme task of winning the war. His methods must be such as will exact prompt obedience and beget respect, without imposing undue hardships and punishment.

The Third Division is exceedingly fortunate in having Major-General John Monash, C.B., V.D., in command. He is a popular and painstaking officer, a born leader, a strict disciplinarian, possessed of tireless energy. He has not spared himself in his efforts to establish and maintain a high standard of efficiency amongst all ranks. The G.O.C.

set himself to put his men right and succeeded. He has a wonderfully comprehensive grip over every branch of activity, and woe betide the officer or man who is indifferent to or negligent of the duties entrusted to him. Any proposition calculated to benefit the men has always been favourably considered, and he has frequently been an interested spectator of various games that have been played just behind the lines. As a result there is little if any disaffection among the men of the Division. Major-General Monash has encouraged by approval and a.s.sistance various forms of recreation and entertainment.

The splendid fighting record of the Third speaks eloquently of his capable leadership and the rousing and prolonged cheering which greets him when presiding over or addressing an a.s.sembly of his men leaves no doubt in the mind as to his popularity.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Off to the Horse Show.]

For a few months after our arrival in France, a cinema afforded nightly entertainment. It was well patronized by the troops. The building used had seating accommodation for about seven hundred, and generally long before the hour of opening a queue of soldiers would a.s.semble. There was no pushing or scrambling for tickets. The Australian good-humouredly submitted to the queue system, and patiently waited his turn. Mr. Frank Beaurepeare, of swimming fame, successfully managed the picture show, and eventually got together a few vocalists and comedians, who were organized into a pierrot group.

These men were relieved from other duties during the comparatively quiet periods. Eventually a couple of talented Tommies were added to the group, which came to be designated the Coo-ees, under the direction of Mr. Dixon, the capable and energetic successor to Mr.

F.B. Beaurepeare. In addition to performing every evening, the Coo-ees frequently gave out-door concerts during the day or in the men's billets, after the evening entertainment. A nominal charge for admission was made, and the proceeds were used to augment the Divisional Funds, which are used for the benefit of the men. These entertainments were given within easy range of the enemy guns. On several occasions sh.e.l.ls fell in the vicinity of the hall, but few casualties were reported.

In addition to affording amus.e.m.e.nt, the Coo-ees did invaluable work during engagements. They either acted as stretcher-bearers or dispensed refreshments to the troops as they went forward to or returned from the trenches. They were located at dressing-stations or at R.A.P.'s. It is generally hoped that the party as at present const.i.tuted will be available after the war for the purpose of giving entertainments in Australia such as they gave to the tired war-hardened troops 'somewhere in France.'

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Sweet and Low' by the quartette party always brought forth rounds of applause.

Costumes were procured, and the programmes submitted were highly creditable and greatly appreciated. The quartette party was exceedingly popular, and never failed to please the 'boys.']

[Ill.u.s.tration: 'Try it a little softer.' Taff Williams, Musical Director]

Periodically horse shows and sports were arranged by D.H.Q.

Substantial prizes and valuable trophies were awarded the successful compet.i.tors. The day's proceedings would be enlivened by band music.