The following incident took place during the Battle of Loos, September
1915. I had been to Battalion H.Q. with a message and whilst awaiting a
reply stood with others on "Harrow Road" watching our wounded go by.
We frequently recognised wounded pals on the stretchers and inquired as
to the nature of their wounds. The usual form of inquiry was: "Hullo
---- what have you got?" In reply to this query one wounded man of our
battalion, ignoring his wound as being of lesser importance, proudly
answered: "Two Jerry helmets and an Iron Cross!"--_A. H. Bell (late
Private, 15th London Regt., T.F.), 31 Raeburn Avenue, Surbiton, Surrey._
Seven Shies a Tanner!
It was near Hebuterne and very early in the morning of July 1, 1916. A
terrific bombardment by both the Germans and ourselves was in progress
just prior to the launching of our Somme offensive. We were in assembly
trenches waiting for the dread zero hour.
Away on our right some German guns were letting us have it pretty hot,
and in consequence the "troops" were not feeling in the best of spirits.
With us was a very popular Cockney corporal. He took his tin hat from
off his head when the tension was high and, banging on it with his
bayonet, cried: "Roll up, me lucky lads! Seven shies a tanner! Who'll
'ave a go!" That bit of nonsense relieved the tension and enabled us to
pull ourselves together.--_A. V. B. (late 9th Londons), Guildford._