During severe fighting in Cambrai in 1917 we were taking up position
in the front line when suddenly over came a "present" from Jerry,
scattering our men in all directions and causing a few casualties.
Among the unfortunate ones was a Cockney whose right hand was
completely blown off.
In a sitting position he calmly turned to the private next to him and
exclaimed "Blimey, they've blown me blinkin' German band (hand) off.
Got a bit of stamp edging, mate?"--_T. Evans, 24 Russell Road, Wood End
Green, Northolt, Greenford._
"Oo's 'It--You or Me?"
It was our fifth day in the front line in a sector of the Arras front.
In the afternoon, after a terrible barrage, Jerry came over the top on
our left, leaving our immediate front severely alone.
Our platoon Lewis gun was manned at that time by "Cooty," a Cockney, he
being "Number One" on the gun. We were blazing away at the advancing
tide when a shell exploded close to the gun.
"Cooty" was seen to go rigid for a moment, and then he quickly rolled
to one side to make way for "Number Two" to take his place. He took
"Number Two's" position beside the gun.
The new "Number One" saw that "Cooty" had lost three fingers, and told
him to retire. "Cooty" would not have that, but calmly began to refill
an empty magazine. "Number One" again requested him to leave, and a
sharp tiff occurred between them.
"Cooty" was heard to say, "Look 'ere, oo's _'it_--you or me?" "You
are," said "Number One."
"Then mind your own blinkin' business," said "Cooty," "and get on with
shelling these peas."
Poor "Cooty," who had lost his left foot as well, passed out shortly
after, was a Guardsman at one time.--_D. S. T., Kilburn, N.W._