"IT'S A WAY THEY HAVE IN THE ARMY"
Red Tape in the Army--A Disgruntled Soldier--"Old Soldier, Old
Fox"--A Touch for Twenty Quid--_Augen Rechts_ at Seaford--Canada!
My family in Canada have since remarked that although my letters had
invariably been cheerful throughout my imprisonment, from the time I
set foot on English soil they reflected the deepest despondency. That
could be explained in part by the fact that uncheerful letters could
not pass the German but could pass the British censor. But more
particularly it was due to the fact that I became entangled in the
interminable red tape of the army system, and, instead of meeting with
the warm sympathy that an exile longs for, met, on the part of the
army, with cold suspicion; however kind some individuals were to me.
Simmons and I were not permitted to leave the boat until the military
came for us. So far so good. We were taken to the headquarters of the
General Officer Commanding that district. He briefly examined us and
good-naturedly gave us some money out of his own pocket and tickets to
London, where we were ordered to report at the War Office.
Arriving in "The Smoke," as the army has named that city, we proceeded
the next morning to 14 Downing Street and sent our names in to the
official we had been directed to by the general. He was in mufti,
whoever he was, and received us kindly enough. We were closely
questioned about our experiences, particularly in relation to our
guards, food, treatment, and so on. He also asked us as to the amount
of sickness among the prisoners, the condition of the country, and so
on.
Dismissed, we made a dash down past Big Ben and the Parliament
Buildings for the Canadian Pay and Record Office, where at Millbank it
overlooked the Thames. A sergeant took our names and after a time took
us, too, in to the paymaster. Simmons drew his money without
difficulty but I found that I was fifteen months dead and was told
that I could get no money until my identity was reestablished. I
protested; so much so in fact that I fully expected to land in the
"clink." No use. I was sent out on the street talking to myself.
We next called on Lady Rivers-Bulkeley and Lady Drummond to thank them
for the very great kindness of themselves and the Canadian Red Cross
in sending us our parcels regularly, and without which we would
assuredly have been too weak to have made our escape. Lady Farquhar,
the wife of our late commanding officer, was out of town, so we did
not see her, much as we desired to thank her for similar kindnesses.
Simmons was single. He was sent to Canada at once and was promptly
discharged. I had a wife and family awaiting me there and I wanted
badly to go to them by the next boat. My wife had been receiving
letters from me during my fifteen months' imprisonment; she had
regularly received her separation allowance; the Canadian Red Cross
and many kind friends in London had been sending me prisoner-of-war
parcels for a year; the authorities admitted my identity and my former
comrades recognised me; I had fifteen months' pay at $1.20 a day,
besides a subsistence allowance of sixty-five cents a day, coming to
me; but could not draw a cent of it. I was dead. And continued so
for three months. There is no explanation. "It's a way they have in
the Army"; or so the army says.
[Illustration: THE CEMETERY AT CELLE LAAGER Z 1 CAMP.]
[Illustration: CORPORAL EDWARDS (SECOND FROM LEFT) AFTER HIS
ESCAPE. THE TWO GOLD BARS ON HIS LEFT COAT SLEEVE INDICATE THAT
HE HAS BEEN TWICE WOUNDED.]
In the end it was only through the active intervention of Sir George
Perley, the Canadian High Commissioner in London that my case was
righted. He, I believe, cabled the Ottawa authorities, who in turn got
in touch with my wife, who produced the necessary documentary evidence
to prove that I had been alive and a prisoner all this time.
I went to the depot at Seaford. I borrowed from my old friends. I hung
round the pay office. The paymaster said I was not on the strength of
the regiment. I was old soldier enough to profit by that calamity at
least. The bitter injustice of such miscarriage of justice blinded me,
as I think it eventually does most soldiers, to the accepted code of
civil life. I refused to attend roll call or do drills, fatigues, or
any other part of my regimental duties other than certain interesting
and thrice-daily rites not unconnected with the kitchen.
It is the commonness, the constant repetition of such stupidity and
such lack of action that so much injures the reputation for
intelligence of the army in the minds of those who have served in it;
so that those who know it best, like it least--and put up with it only
because it is the poor instrument of a good cause.
The paymaster fell sick. A young subaltern was acting for him. My
sergeant pal tipped me off. As I have said, I was an old soldier with
all that that implies. He marched me up to the officer, already more
or less at sea about his new duties. I asked for money. He was aware
of my history but not of the tangle I was in:
"How much?"
I wondered how much the traffic would bear.
"Twenty quid, sir," I ventured. He went up in the air.
"Impossible! I'll give you ten."
I O. K'd that while the words were yet warm on his lips. Fifty dollars
is a great deal of money to a soldier. He gave it to me with a pass
for Scotland--where I had relatives--to which I had long been entitled
but which had been useless to me as long as I had no money.
I quickly gathered my cronies together and we packed into the canteen
to celebrate the occasion fittingly, in the only fashion a good
soldier knows, in army beer so thick and strong that the hops floated
on the tops of the mess-tins. While searching for the bottom of one of
these I heard the orderly shouting: "Corporal Edwards! Corporal
Edwards!" The other men gathered round me in the corner, drinking,
while I scrunched down so that the orderly passed on and out still
shouting my name.
I fled to the tent and was hastily getting my things together when a
corporal came hot-foot saying that the officer wanted me at once. I
went in, gave him my very best regimental salute and stood at
attention.
"I find that you are not on the strength, corporal, and are not
entitled to any money, so I'll trouble you to return that money I gave
you."
"I'm sorry, sir," I said sadly, "but it's gone."
"Gone? How?"
"Debts, sir," I said firmly. "My mates have been keeping me going."
"Well, you must get it back from them at once and return it to me.
It's most irregular. Push on now and see that you're back here in an
hour's time with that money before those fellows spend it all in the
canteen."
"Very good, sir." I gave him a smashing good _Augen Rechts_ to cheer
him up against the time he should discover that I was well on my way
to Scotland.
And I remained there until I received notice that my regimental bones
had been officially exhumed; after which I had no difficulty in
getting my back pay and three months' furlough for Canada and home!
AUTHOR'S NOTE.--An amusing and at the same time gratifying
sequel to this story developed immediately upon the heels of its
publication in a considerably smaller form in the _Saturday
Evening Post_. Sergeant Edwards, who had not previously been
consulted by the authorities, was at once offered his choice
between doing "duty" in Canada or taking a discharge from the
army, instead of going overseas again. He chose the discharge.
An interesting fact in connection with Brumley, the man who was
the first to be recaptured on the second attempt to escape, is
that according to a post card received from him by his wife, he
has since made two other unsuccessful attempts at escape.
Scarfe, who was exchanged to Switzerland, reports that he has
married a Swiss girl there. Stamper, another Patricia who was
captured at the same time as Edwards, has recently been
exchanged and is now in England. Scott, who was captured with
the men of an English regiment, was exchanged to Switzerland
and recently returned to Toronto and has been in hospital, in a
serious condition, ever since. The fate of the others is
unknown.
THE EVIDENCE IN THE CASE
In order to remove any vestige of doubt in the reader's mind as to the
authenticity of Corporal Edwards' tale, it has been deemed advisable
to present reproductions of certain newspaper articles and
correspondence which bear directly on some of the points touched upon
in the story.
It will be noticed that quite aside from the major fact of the escape
itself having been brought out here, there is the equally important
one of the bringing out of a great number of lesser points which tally
to a hair with such references to them as are made in the story, such
for instance as the references to the delay in England, the references
in their post cards of those fellow-prisoners who remain in Germany
and other facts of a similar nature.
The following are exact reproductions in every case, except for the
explanatory note which prefaces each item.
_Extract from Toronto Daily Star, May 30, 1915._
WAS BACK ONLY THREE WEEKS
CORP. EDWARDS, REPORTED MISSING, WAS WOUNDED SHORT TIME AGO.
Lance-Corp. Edward Edwards of the Princess Pats who is reported
missing to-day, has only been back at the trenches for three
weeks, after having been wounded and in England for a month with
a bullet in his foot. He lived at 70 Standish Avenue, Rosedale,
where his wife and three young sons now live. He is 38 years of
age and has been in Canada ten years. Previous service in Africa
and India with the Gordon Highlanders is to his credit.
_Letter from Corporal Edwards to His Wife in Toronto._
Mon Adress exacte:
GIESSEN (Allemagne)
Compagnie No. 6 Baraque No. A.
Nom et Prenom: E. Edwards. Oct. 2nd, 1915.
MY DEAREST EM: A few more lines, hoping they find all in the
best of health and everything going on all right. I received
your parcels all right. They were a treat and came in good
condition. How are the boys getting along? Awfully sorry about
Hector but hope he is all right again, poor chap's been having a
hard time of it. How are Gordon and Frank. Tell them I was
asking for them. I guess the Beastie has grown quite a big chap.
Thanks for J. Birnies' address. I will drop him a card some time
but you see I can only send two letters a month. Jack wanted me
to write to the lodge but I can't see how I can manage it. Em,
lass, don't send me any clothing as I will manage all right.
Col. Farquhar's wife is going to send me out some and Major
Gault is sending tobacco and cigarettes so I will be all right.
I had a parcel from Bob with a shirt and some eatables; also one
from Jean at Blacktop and one from home. We are always on the
lookout for them. Have you had any word from Mina? I've had
letters from them all. We are having rather cool weather. I sent
a post card to G. Nelson; I don't know if he ever got it but you
can ask him when he comes up. Em, what are you doing about the
house? Are you getting it fixed up or are you coming over home?
It would be rather late this year to come over but please
yourself; only let me know what you are doing. Is George still
in Canada? Jean was expecting him to drop in any time. He has
been very good to me ever since I landed first in England. I
will never be able to pay her back. I can't give you any news
as I don't know it myself. Don't wait on a letter from me before
you write but write often and tell me all about yourself and the
boys. Tell Jack to write and I will drop him a card when I can.
Keep your heart up and look after yourself. Tell Miss Holmes I
was asking for her; also Mrs. Arlow. Tell her I got her letter;
also tell all my friends I was asking for them. If Mr. Skerrow
comes up again tell him I am doing fine but would sooner be
working up in N. Toronto--but am making the best of it. I think
I will stop Em; I have really nothing to tell you, only write
soon and often. Give the boys a tight one for me. Best love to
you all. Good bye.
Your Affect. Ed.
149 Corpl. E. Edwards,
Barrack A.,
Company 6,
Prisoner of War.
Giessen, Germany.
P.S. Just received your letter Sept. 3rd. Tell Mrs. Bownie not
to bother sending anything. I have got all I want. Can't send a
long letter. This is all we are allowed. Ed.
_Extract from Montreal Gazette, Sept. 21, 1916._
EDWARD EDWARDS ESCAPES FROM FOE
TORONTO SOLDIER WITH TWO OTHERS MAKE GET-AWAY. WANDER FOR THREE
WEEKS.
BRASS BAND ESCORTS THEM TO MAYOR OF TOWN IN HOLLAND.
London, Sept. 21.--Registered as dead by the Canadian Pay and
Record office, which was about to authorise distribution of
their effects, Lance-Corp. Edward Edwards of the Princess
Patricias, 70 Standish Avenue; Pte. James Jerry Burke (1216)
Eighth Battalion, Winnipeg and Pte. M.C. Simmons (23445) of
Seventh Battalion, Port Arthur, have arrived in London after
having escaped from a German prison camp. They experienced some
strenuous adventures. For three weeks they were at large; slowly
and cautiously wending their way to the Holland frontier, they
covered the distance of 150 miles. In Holland the fugitives to
their surprise, found a warm welcome. In fact, a local band
headed them in procession to the Mayor, who in turn communicated
with the British Consul, with the result that they were shipped
to England.
_Extract from Toronto Daily Star, Sept. 22, 1916._
MRS. EDWARDS IS REJOICING
CAN HARDLY BELIEVE THAT HUSBAND ESCAPED FROM GERMAN PRISON.
HEARD SO MANY DIFFERENT TALES.
COMRADES WHO HAVE RETURNED ASSURED HER HE WOULD GET AWAY.
"I cannot believe it until I hear from him. But I do hope it is
true. I am glad I never kept him back, and never told him not to
go. He is a soldier to the backbone."
Mrs. Edward Edwards, 70 Standish Avenue, Rosedale, was
discussing the report that her husband, Lance-Corp. Edward
Edwards of the Princess Patricias, had escaped from a prison
camp in Germany and after travelling over 150 miles of country
arrived with two others on Dutch territory whence they were
shipped to England after being feted by some of the people in
Holland.
"I have heard so many different stories. At first I was told he
was killed, but later he sent me a letter from Germany telling
me he was in a prison camp there. Only last Saturday I had a
letter from him in which he asked me to send him on a box of
soap to wash his clothes. He said in that letter that he had
enough tobacco, cocoa and coffee to last him for some time but
he needed soap."
Lance-Corporal Edwards, who was connected with the Royal
Grenadiers, in Toronto, was formerly a member of the Gordon
Highlanders, and fought with the 2nd Battalion of that regiment
throughout the South African War. Stationed in India at the
outbreak of that war the regiment was sent to South Africa and
was shut up in Ladysmith. He is the possessor of three medals
and five clasps. He took part in the great Delhi Durbar.
"Over a year ago my husband was shot in the foot," said Mrs.
Edwards. "He returned to the trenches and was just three weeks
back when he was posted as missing. That was a year ago last
May. For a long time I had no word of what had happened to him
until I had a letter from him."
VISITS FROM COMRADES.
"Many of the returned Princess Patricias come to see me. Only
last Sunday one of them said to me when talking of my husband:
'He will be escaping from the Germans some of these days.' And
it is just like him to do that. But he and the two with him must
have suffered terribly in the time they were hiding through 150
miles of the enemy's country. I wish I had him home now."
"I heard from him regularly every six weeks by letter.
Occasionally he would send me a postcard between the letters. He
never discussed the war, except in the phrase that it could not
last for ever. He always wrote bright and cheerful letters."
At No. 68 Standish Avenue lives the widow of Private Percy
Edwards, brother of Lance-Corporal Edwards. Private Edwards was
a reservist of the Gordon Highlanders and at the outbreak of the
war was called home to join his regiment. He was killed in the
first action in which the Gordons were engaged. His widow and
three young sons live next door to Mrs. Edwards, who also has
three young sons. Both of the Edwards brothers and their wives
are natives of Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
_Postal Card to Mrs. E. Edwards, 70 Standish Ave., N. Rosedale,
Toronto, Ont., Canada._
12th Sept. 1916. Assen, Holland. Dear Em: I guess you will get
my letter along with this card explaining things. You will know
that I have escaped from Germany and am on my way to England but
will write you every chance I get. Give my love to the boys and
I hope all is well at home. I am feeling pretty good. This is
where I am just now. Yours ever, Ed.
_Postal to Mrs. E. Edwards, 70 Standish Ave., N. Rosedale, Toronto,
Canada._
Sept. 8th, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England.
Dear Em: Hope you have received all my letters that I have
written you from Holland. They will tell you all about my
escape. I leave here for London to-night. Will write you from
there. Love to the boys. Write me Bulter address. Ed.
_Postal Card to Mrs. E. Edwards, 70 Standish Ave., N. Rosedale,
Toronto, Canada._
Sept. 22nd, 1916. Folkestone, England. Dear Em: Hope you got the
cable all right, also some of the letters and cards I sent you.
What do you think of my escape? Not so bad, eh? Write me at
Bulter. How are the boys? Give them my love. Am back at
Shornecliffe with the regiment. Will be going on leave. Trying
to get over to see you. Will write you to-morrow. Write as soon
as you can. Ed.
[Illustration: HOMEWARD BOUND. CORPORAL EDWARDS IN CENTER.]
_Post Card to Cpl. E. Edwards, 7 St. Mary's Place, Cuttor,
Aberdeenshire, Scotland, from Cpl. E. Hardy, a fellow prisoner._
Mon Adress Exacte:
Nom et Prenom: Cpl. E. Hardy
No. matricule: 1906
No. de la Compagnie: 8
Lettre de la baraque: "E"
GIESSEN (Allemagne)
Giessen, le 25-9-1916.
Dear Ted: I received your P.C. quite safe. I did a little dance
on my own. Charlie Walker is away somewhere. How are Dennie and
Nobler going on. You may be sure I was pleased to hear of you
getting in port safe. Sorry to hear you got wrecked on your
first trip but you have no worry now. Good Luck. Ted.
_Post Card to Cpl. E. Edwards, Number One Company P. P. C. L. I., St.
Martins Plains, Shornecliffe, England. Via Holland, from Hookie
Walker, a fellow prisoner._
Mon addresse exacte:
Nom et prenom: C. Walker,
No. matricule:
No. de la compagnie: 6, Baraque: B.
No. du detachement: 1
Giessen (Allemagne) Oct. 1st, 1916.
Dear Old Ted: I received your P.C. God Bless you and good Luck
be with you always. I have been on the water and got wrecked
also but I have not given up by any means. I am in the best of
health. Remember me to all and God be with you. Hookie.
_Undated Post Card to Mr. E. Edwards Jun, 7 St. Mary's Place, Cutter,
Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Via Holland, from Cpl. Hardy._
Mon Adresse exacte:
Nom et prenom: Cpl. E. Hardy
No. matricule: 1906
No. de la compagnie: 8, Baraque "E"
No. du detachement:
Giessen (Allemagne)
Dear Ted: I am very glad everything went on A1. I am sorry I was
not with you. I am not wanting anything, thanks. I hope you have
a good time when you go to Canada. I have not seen anything of
Hookie for about 12 months, nor Stamper. I have still got a few
things safe for you when I come home. I will close with best
respects, Ted.
_Undated Card to Mrs. Edwards, Rotterdam, Holland._
Dear Em. Hope you are getting my letters all right and that all
is well at home. I am still feeling and getting treated pretty
good and will be in England in two or three days. Since it all
goes well write me c/o of Bulter address and I will be sure to
get them. How are the boys? Is the wee chap still holding my
place? Tell Gordon when I get to England I will help him get a
bicycle so that he can be the same as Hector. This is where I am
just now but will be on my way in a few hours. I have sent you
Tinnie's photo. How will she do? It might be all we can get. Ed.
_Postal to Mrs. Edwards, 70 Standish Ave., N. Rosedale, Toronto,
Canada._
26-10-16. From Folkestone.
Dear Em: Arrived back in Folkestone all right. Called on Mrs.
Cawthra. Had a long talk with her. Can't get any word of when I
am to get over to Canada but will let you know as soon as
possible. Might be some time yet. Got the letter with Hector's
and will bring the things with me when I come home. How are the
boys getting along? Wish I was there. Good-bye. Ed.
_Extract from Toronto Daily Star, December, 1916._
HOME ON LEAVE AFTER ESCAPE FROM THE HUNS
SGT. EDWARD EDWARDS TELLS GRAPHIC STORY OF 100 MILE FLIGHT.
WIFE HAD TO PROVE HUSBAND WAS ALIVE.
SENT HIS PHOTO AND LETTERS BEFORE WAR OFFICE WOULD BELIEVE IT.
No bands played and no Reception Committee extended the welcome
hand to Sergt. Edward Edwards when he stepped off the train at
the Union Station and walked to the home of his wife and family
one day last week, after two years and seven months' absence at
the front with a storehouse of thrilling experiences that rival
even the exploits of the Three Musketeers. That he was one of
only 49 left of the crack Princess Patricias who were mown down
at the Ypres Salient on May 8, 1915, was wounded twice, missing
and officially declared dead and escaped twice from German
prison camps in company with two companions are only incidents
in a long chapter of events which surpass in thrilling interest
Dumas' most daring fiction. Tom Brumley, another member of a
Toronto regiment, and Mervin Simmons, a Canadian from Trail,
B.C., were the two friends of the modern D'Artagan, but
unfortunately Brumley was recaptured by the Huns during the
first escape and Sergt. Edwards has not heard from him since.
Sergt. Edwards is now on ten weeks' furlough and is due to
report in England on May 10, when he expects to go into the
fighting again. "We went to the Ypres salient in May. I was one
of ten in my company to get through," said he.
TRIBUTE TO COL. BULLER
Here Sergt. Edwards paid a tribute to his late commanding
officer, Col. Buller, who was killed on the 2nd of June of this
year. "It was the Germans, too, who told us of our old Colonel's
death. They knew everything, it seemed, about our commanders and
could tell the regiment and division that we belonged to."
We were taken to Roulers, Belgium. After a brief stay there we
were taken to Giessen. There were 1,200 prisoners, mostly
Russian and French. The food we got was awful.
REFUSED TO WORK
"After a stay here of about six months I was sent with my two
friends, Brumley and Simmons, to a punishment camp for refusing
to work in a steel factory to make munitions. Three hundred
British and Canadians also refused in spite of threats, and
ill-treatment, and all were sent on to Celle Laager, the main
punishment camp. We were there two weeks and then we were split
into small parties and I was slated with my two friends for a
place called Oldenburg. Here they wanted us to go into a moor
and drain the place to grow potatoes. It was from this place
that we made our first serious attempt to escape.
We made a dash for the shelter of the moor. In a few minutes we
heard the baying of a vicious pack of dogs they had sent in
pursuit, but we managed to elude them and struck out for the
Dutch border more than 100 miles distant. We came to the River
Ems four miles from the border of Holland. We could not find a
boat or raft and were recaptured."
MADE FINAL ESCAPE
After undergoing this sentence, Sergt. Edwards and Simmons were
taken to another punishment camp at Salsengen and it was from
here that they made their successful escape on August 21.
The British Consul at Rotterdam arranged the wanderers' passage
to England, where they arrived on the 18th of September. When he
reported in London, Sergt. Edwards had to prove he was alive,
because the records of the War Office had him marked up as dead.
A lot of red tape had to be untangled before the gallant soldier
could be officially brought back from the dead, but at that time
he was still writing to his wife, so that, when she saw her
husband's name in the casualty list, she at once contradicted
the officials by sending her husband's letters and his pictures.
_Postal card to No. 39 Cpl. E. Edwards, P. P. C. L. I. Depot, South
Camp, Seaford, Sussex, England, from Charles Scarfe, who was also
captured on May 8th._
Manor Farm, Interlaken, Switzerland, Jan. 3rd, 1917.
Dear Old Pal Teddy:
Just a card hoping to find you well as it leaves me A-1. Hope
you had a good Christmas. Had a fairly good one myself but hope
we are in Canada next one. Have had enough of being a prisoner
of war. Remember me to all the boys and write soon. From your
old pal, Charlie.
_Postal card to 39 Cpl. E. Edwards, P. P. C. L. I. Depot, South Camp,
Seaford, Sussex, England, from his comrade in the escape._
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End of Project Gutenberg's The Escape of a Princess Pat, by George Pearson