OUR SOLDIERS IN CAMP.
pro vas EDITOR OP TEN “arscvaros."1 think the enclosed letter from a National Reservist who has lately joined the new Army will interest your "DRAB Ma. —,—My wife tells me that his Lordship allows her the use of the cottage free while I am serving. Will you tell his Lordship that I feel very grateful for that concession ? I am sure you would like to be able to take a part in the work which us chaps are doing (being an old Volunteer). I have charge of a platoon of Kitchener's Army, sixty men, and I am doing my level best to turn them into fighting soldiers in the shortest possible time ; hard work and good spirits will soon bring that about. They are a splendid lot of men, keen for the front, and anxious to get trained. In six months' time it will be an army that will surprise the world. We have done more with these men in a month than an ordinary recruit in peace times would do in three. The old saying, 'Any man will do to stop a bullet,' is obsolete in this army. The best is only retained ; about a hundred and fifty have been discharged as unfit in this regiment alone this last month. There is no doubt they will be fit enough to face the German dogs when the great struggle comes (the march to Berlin in the spring), then we pay back our old debts. We have just received news that the only battalion of Royal Fusiliers that is at the front have been wiped out in one blow—seven hundred men and thirty officers sacrificed themselves to save two divisions. What a glorious death ; we shall have that in our mind as well. I feel as fit as a fiddle, and getting quite used to the hard boards and blanket for a bed. My company are installed in a row of empty cottages similar to Townly ; I make myself at home in the pantry. We have no uniform yet, and our own clothes are falling to pieces, the wear and tear of drill and night work in the bushes are leaving us in rags, but we hold our heads up just the same, and throw-the same sort of kisses to the girls when we are out route marching. Now, Mr. —, you are in the country and cannot see much of the Army, but rest assured it will travel in the right direction.—Trusting you are well, believ e me to remain yours faithfully,
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