The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1916-07-20
Ernest L. Hunter.
A Canadian Hero. Twice Wounded, wit
out Food for "a hours, He Walks to Il

A Canadian Hero. Twice Wounded, with
out Food for "a hours, He Walks to the
Hospital.
Fredericton N. B., Daily Cleaner, July 9Th
Councillor S. B. Hunter, of Harvey
Station, has just received word from his
son, private Ernest L. Hunter, who was
wounded on June 18th, at the front, where
so many brave Canadians fell. In let
ter to his mother just received, he gave
an account of his wounds which were
classed severe, and said he was gaining
as fast as could be expected.
Extracts from his letter from the Mill
tary Hospital, England, follow:
| Dear Mother
| Will try and write you few lines, al
though | am in an awkward position for
writing, but know it is my duty to let
you know how am getting along and the
nature of my wounds. No doubt you
have heard through the War Office at
Ottawa that | have been wounded and
you are anxious to know how l am. Was
hit on the right arm and in the abdomen
by piece of shrapnel. The wound on
my arm was classed slight, in the abdo-
men it was classed severe. was wound
ed on the night of June 18th at midnight.
L
by myself; the other sentries that were
with me had been taken away to bring up
more ammunition, when all at once the
air seemed full of lead, iron and smoke.
1t was then | got hit. l managed to
crawl to another bay and just after leav-
ing the one had been in it was all blown
to pieces by shells. My best chum, c.
w. Fairweather, was killed when in the
trenches. We always tried to be togeth-
err and slept together and were the best
of friends. This time he was put in the
next bay to me, and poor fellow, forfeit
ed his life for his country.
| said before, after | was hit crawled
to another bay. While there was cover
ed with clay, also my rifle was buried
foot deep with clay from exploding shells.
The order to stand to came. | got up on
the firing step and made my way to
where the stretcher bearer was in dug
out. He dressed my wounds. 1t was
then 2.30 a. M, the 18th. l had to stay
in the dugout all day, and at night was
supposed to be carried out on a sIretcher.
But stretcher bearers seemed very scarce
and none available. 1t was now about
daylight on the 18th, and it looked as if
would have to spend another day here.
But not SO. got on my feet and beat it
| for two miles, and mind you had nothing
to eat or drink for over "a hours. Reach
ing the dressing station was given a cup
| of cocoa to drink and put in an ambulance
that was drawn by horses as the road
was too rough for an auto. After going
some distance was transferred to an auto
and taken to the second dressing station.
| Was there inoculated and given pair of
dry socks, was then put in an auto again
and taken to hospital where l was
stripped and put to bed. After being
there for an hour was taken to the oper-
ating room and put under chloroform and
the piece of shrapnel removed from my
stomach. Shortly after the operation |
was taken out of this hospital and put
! into a Red Cross train and started for
Boulogne, France, reaching there at mid
night. Stayed there the next day, leav
ing the next morning for England, arriv-
ing at Manchester at 11.30, where | am
at present. We receive the best of care,
the nurses and sisters are very kind to
| us. There are number of Canadians
| here and they take great interest in US.
| have often heard Of people being nearly
starved in hospitals, but that is not our
case here. We have lots of the very
best to eat and are we'll cared for.
In the big bombardment l lost my kit
and everything l had. Had to leave
everything. We made an attack, getting
most of the ground that was lost June
3ld. Our platoon captured 40 Germans
and two German officers. l believe the
Germans have played their best cards.
They may be all right in the trenches, or
behind Notifications, but when it comes
to close quarters with the bayonet they
squeal, throw down their arms and sur
render.
Now mother don't worry about me for
will soon be all we'll and ready to go
back to the front again, forming up in
tours.
Mr.. Hunter is nephew of Mrs. A. K.
Fletcher of Re1fast