World War, 1914-1918 -- Anecdotes; World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives, British
It was towards the end of '18, and we had got old Jerry well on the
run. We had reached a village near Lille, which had been in German
occupation, and the inhabitants were surging round us.
[Illustration: "Take the rough with the smooth."]
A corporal was having the time of his life, being kissed on both cheeks
by the girls, but when it came to a bewhiskered French papa's turn the
corporal hesitated. "Nah, then, corporal," shouted one of our boys, "be
sporty! Take the rough with the smooth!"---_G. H. Harris (late C.S.M.,
8th London Regt.), 65 Nelson Road, South Chingford, E.4._
"Playin' Soldiers"
We were in the Cambrai Salient, in support in the old Hindenburg Line.
Close to us was a road where there were a ration dump and every other
sort of dump. Everybody in the sector went through us to get rations,
ammunition, stores, etc.
There was just room in the trench for two men to pass. Snow had been on
the ground for weeks, and the bottom of the trench was like glass. One
night at stand-to the Drake Battalion crowded past us to get rations.
On their return journey the leading man, with two sandbags of rations
round his neck and a petrol can of water in each hand, fell over at
every other step. Things were further complicated by a party of R.E.'s
coming down the line with much barbed wire, in which this unfortunate
"Drake" entangled himself.
As he picked himself up for the umpteenth time, and without the least
intention of being funny, I heard him say: "Well, if I ever catch that
nipper of mine playin' soldiers, I won't 'arf knock 'is blinkin' block
orf."--_A. M. B. (late Artists Rifles), Savage Club, W.C.2._
Per Carrier
During the occupation of the "foreshores of Gallipoli" in 1915 the
troops were suffering from shortage of water.
I and six more, including Tich, were detailed to carry petrol cans full
of water up to the front line. We had rather a rough passage over very
hilly ground, and more than one of us tripped over stones that were
strewn across the path, causing us to say a few strong words.
By the time we reached our destination we were just about all in, and
on being challenged "Halt; who goes there?" Tich answered: "Carter
Paterson and Co. with 'Adam's ale,' all nice and frothy!"--_D. W.
Jordan (late 1/5th Essex, 54th Division), 109a Gilmore Road, Lewisham,
S.E.13._
"Enemy" in the Wire
I was in charge of an advanced post on the Dorian front, Salonica,
1917, which had been often raided by the Bulgars, and we were advised
to be extra wary. In the event of an attack we were to fire a red
flare, which was a signal for the artillery to put over a barrage.
About 2 a.m. we heard a commotion in our wire, but, receiving no answer
to our challenge, I decided to await further developments. The noise
was soon repeated in a way that left no doubt in my mind that we were
being attacked, so I ordered the section to open fire and sent up the
signal for the guns.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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