Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-07
TWENTY MONTHS
IN THE TRENCHES AS
TOLD BY SERGT. AEMES

The presence Of Sergeant Daniel Aemes,
Canadian soldier who has seen much
service in the trenches and has not come
out unscathed, around the beach at Old
Orchard is now bringing home to the
residents of the resort the horrors of war
and the great amount of self-sacrifce
necessary to halt the German attacks on
civilization.
Mr.. Aemes enlisted in the Royal En-
cheering Corps in the first Canadian con-
tingent in 1914 and went to the front at
the beginning of the following year.
While over there he saw 20 months of ac-
tive service in the trenches. first around
Weythe on the Flanders frontier and later
at the Somme. In the latter section of
the line, it will be remembered that the
Canadian troops bore the brunt of the
big three days attack in September of
last year. He went into battle as a pri-
waite but after four months was advanced
to sergeant. The contingent with which
he went abroad started with about 100
men, and has lost about 700 of these
Sergeant Aemes said that in that contin-
gent we're many American boys who had
gone to Canada to enlist Many of these
had been in the army and navy Of the
States.
Sergeant Aemes was first employed in
the pioneer regiments which are used to
build trenches for the firing line. This
work is perhaps the most dangerous part
of the service as these men have to work
even ahead of the lines. Members of
these regiments were taken from among
volunteers for this special work. Later
he was in a regular infantry regiment.
During his time in the trenches, he was
once shot in the arm, but not seriously.
Later after an attack had been success
fully made, Sergeant Aemes had his left
leg shattered by a shell. He was also the
victim of one of the gas attacks.
Sergeant Aemes says that the three
most notable things in this present war
are the brutality of the Germans. the
wonderful work of the surgeons. and the
admirable success of the American ambu.
lance corps and of the American Y. NJ. C,
A.
The brutality Of the Germans. he says,
Is very hard to believe Perhaps the
most terrible of their contrivances. eX-
cept for poison, is the charged entangle-
ment on which many fine fellows have
been electrocuted.
The work of the surgeons in the
trenches is known to be marvellous in the
saving of lives, but not so much is
known about the clever manner in which
they prevent ugly scars and deformities.
Sergeant Aemes had the bone of the low
er leg entirely smashed. but by careful
work. the surgeon put in a steel shank
and drew the skin over it SO cleverly tina,
1t would be difficult to tell that anything
had happened to It,
Yes, the ambulance boys are doing
great work and deserve praise. But to
the body which deserves much more
praise than it gets is the Y. NJ. c. A.
Everywhere along the lines. wherever
they can get or erect shack, they have
made a place of comfort for the soldier.
Whenever possible they have piano and
they do everything possible to make a
soldier comfortable. The fellows who
meet you are mighty fine. strong men
who understand what a soldier needs"
This is the tribute of Sergeant Aemes to
the efforts Of our great institution.
Sergeant Aemes was born in Russia and
is 2. years old. He went to Canada in
1907.