Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-21
HAIGS WOUNDED SOLDIERS TELL
ELLEN ADAIR OF FIERCE FIGHTING
Manned Men, Smiling Bravely Cheered by Throngs at
Charing Cross as They Return Red Cross Trains.
Many With Empty Sleeves
Rv ELLEN ADAIR


LONDON. July I've stood by thou
sands in Charing Cross Station waiting the
arrival of the wounded from the great Of
fensive. The crowds were wildly enthu-
siastlc.
Keep behind the barriers!' called a big
policeman. "They won't be long now!'
An hour slipped by-another hour-and
the multitude by the barricade grew rest
less. We'll give them truly British well
come when they do arrive!" cried gray
haired man. And at his words a London
bobby swung the big gates open and
mighty cheer rent the air.
A Red Cross wagon, moving slowly, head
ed the long procession. Sight of the three
still figures on the foremost stretchers made
the shouts die oil the lips of the specta-
tors. They were wrapped in blankets and
muffied almost to the eyes.
Heads were uncovered as they passed
before us and n great silence fell on the
crowd 1t was broken by the quiet sobbing
of woman
Then a little London fowerseller ran
forward and placed rose upon each
stretcher. One of the muffied figures lifted
weak hand and touched the flower. The
crowd broke into cheers again.
Immediately behind came an open car
riage in which sat four smiling "Tommies."
Each had an empty sleeve and there was
almost more DdHudSe ABOUT THEM IMAM uHl-
form. But. "are we downhearted? Never!'
they shouted and the crowd hurrayed with
Joy.
Roses in profusion were flung into the
carriages. The soldiers stuck them at
ridiculous angles into their helmets. behind
their ears and very often among the
bandages. have seldom seen such smil-
ing bravery as those boys showed.
Hi, where's my Lizzie?" called out an
elderly man who was lying in motorcar
with his knees strapped out on temporary
stretcher.
Here. John here /" cried an excited voice
from the crowd, and Lizzie" darted for
ward. She was large, stout woman in
"bugled" bonnet. but in a trice she had
whisked the door OF that slowly moving
automobile open and was beside her John,
covering his unshaven face with kisses.
Three cheers for Lizzie!' cried the
crowd, And Lizzie graclously waved her
hand as though she and her wounded hus-
band were royalty in state procession.
Motor after motor and carriage after
carriage went slowly past Part of the
toll OF the great offensive was before us |
now. But though they were pale and weary |
from their cross-Channel journey, great |
optimism shone on the faces OF those |
wounded men. I'VE captured the frst-lne |
German trenches all along our line' % called
out the boy. We've taken hundreds and |
hundreds of prisoners! called another.
l slipped through the crowds and past |
the long line of motorcars into the rear of |
the station, where the wounded were being |
helped or carried into vehicles. Three men, |
who had been bayoneted. were sitting in /
invalid chairs.
I'd go back again tomorrow. II could"
said one OF them, but got mine on sun
day at Mametz We'd shelled the German
dugouts until they were piled up with dead.
And then we made a little charge Cheer |
ful We were, and singing, though you
couldn't hear note for the thunder Of the
guns ;"
Don't you believe them rumors about the
Germans not putting up a hand-to-hand
fight Look at that blessed leg Of mine.
Ran me three times through, they did But
David here finished that little lot on" and
he indicated the man beside him. who was
too wan and weary TO speak, but who smiled
family at his friends words
THE Red Cross chaps found me lying
under heap OF dead" continued the first
some were British and some We're German.
It's hard matter to pick out the wounded
from the dead. but l managed TO get an
arm loose and signaled TO the bearers"
A pale-faced boy, who was lying on a
streteher close beside wagon, told me his
leg had been blown on at La Bolselle, and
he had lain out on the battlefield for 80
lours. Were doing great things out there"
he said proudly, though it'll take years to
'lean up those awful fields The dead are
lsaped up everywhere"
Il got mine at the end OF the charge" said
! Gay Gordon with bandaged knee and an
,mpty sleeve, but the German losses were
errihc"
A voice with strong Lancashire accent
sounded near me Our battalion was !
ormsd almost entirely from clerks but
hey welded the bayonet better than the
,en." 1t said We drove the enemy back
rom point far ahead OF our lines At
= don't mind the big shells 80 much as
he grenades ana the bombs" remarksd a
scottish Bordersr i got piece Of bomb
n the chest four days ago. Itil be q close
for sonic weeks, I'm afraid
SAID 3 slightly wounded soldier; -our
i0mpany captured : crowd of Germans e