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.
Imagine our surprise when, after all was quiet again, we heard the same
noise in the wire. One of the sentries was a Cockney, and without a
word he crawled over the parapet and disappeared in the direction of
the noise.
A few minutes later came the sound of smothered laughter, and the
sentry returned with a hedgehog firmly fixed in an empty bully tin. It
was the cause of our alarm!
After releasing the animal from its predicament, the sentry said: "We'd
better send the blighter to the Zoo, Corp, wiv a card to say 'this
little pig put the wind up the troops, caused a fousand men to open
fire, was bombed, machine-gunned, and shelled.' Blimey! I'd like to
see the Gunner officer's face if he knew this."--_D. R. Payne, M.M.
(ex-Worcester Regt.), 40 High Street, Overton, Hants._