After the evacuation of Gallipoli a transport was conveying British
troops to Egypt.
The O.C. wanted a trumpeter or bugler to follow him around during the
daily lifeboat parade and to sound the "Dismiss" at the end. The only
one available was an Indian trumpeter, who had not blown a trumpet or
bugle since 1914. He was ordered for the duty.
On the first day, immediately after the inspection was over, the
O.C. gave orders for the trumpeter to sound the "Dismiss." After the
trumpeter had finished, the O.C., with a look of astonishment on his
face, gasped, "What's that? I never heard it sounded like that before."
Came a Cockney voice from the rear rank, "'E sounded it in 'Indoostanee,
sir."--_M. C., Surrey._
"For 'eaven's sake, stop sniffin'!"
Our sector of the line at Loos was anticipating a raid by the Germans
and the whole battalion was ordered to "stand to" all night.
Double sentries were posted at intervals of a few feet with orders to
report any suspicious shadows in No Man's Land.
All eyes and ears were strained in an effort to locate any movement in
the darkness beyond the parapet.
Strict silence was to be maintained, and the guns had been ordered to
hang fire so that we might give the Germans a surprise welcome if they
came over.
The ominous stillness was broken at last by a young Cockney saying
to his pal standing with him on the fire-step: "For 'Eaven's sake,
stop sniffin', Porky. How d'yer fink we'll 'ear Jerry if he comes
acrorst?"--_C. J. Blake, 29a Collingbourne Road, Shepherd's Bush, W.12._