The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1917-05-24
TWAS A GRAND FIGHT
AT VIMY RIDGE
So Says a Brother-in-law of w.
S. Keith, Who Is in Cana
dian Regiment.

IhomaS Helmbolt, a brother-ln-laU
of Water Keith, is a member of q
Canadian regiment at the French
front, and writes home stories OF
trench warfare of such an interesting
and realistic character as would do
credit to war correspondent. He was
in the Vimy Ridge battle, and says
sit was great 1t was grand the way
we pushed the Germans back" With
such spirit and enthusiasm, it is no
wonder the Canadian soldiers are
making such a grand record in the
fighting at the front.
Since the following letters were re-
ceived, news has been received that
Young Helmbolt was badly wounded
in the chest and head, presumably at
Buillecourt. The extent of his injur-
les are not known, but it is feared
they are serious.
The letters were written to his wife
in Canada, sister of Mr.. Keith. Ex-
tracts from a letter, dated April Is,
follow:
"At last l have received some mail,
real deluge, "a letters and also the
box containing the cake, tobacco, gum
and candy. All was in good condition.
1t came last night. Your latest let
ter was dated March 11th, so you can
imagine how far behind am with
news from home. 1t was very well
come mail can tell you.
81 think you were wise not to sell
the horses. l believe horses are going
to be an awful price after this war.
A horse costs the government $500
laid down in France and they are kill
ed off here by the hundreds.
"Well, Gene, got back from B. in
time for the opening fight at the
Ridge. Wasn't it great? 1t was
grand the way we pushed them back.
There is no doubt as to the outcome
of the war in my own mind. You
never saw men in better spirits than
our boys here at the front. AS for
myself, l am feeling fine. Last night
it was dark and rainy. About ten
thirty just after we had gone to bed
our sergeant came to the door of our
dugout. "Up to the line, boys, the
best of luck" and he was gone. So
Mike Harpell, an Irishman from
Vermilion, Johnnie Cameron, Frank
Thorpe, Alberta boys, and Black
Nova Section (these are my pals in
the dugout), crawled out. l was
last as l am the only one in the dug
out who has long boots to lace. When
| blew out the candle and stepped out
it was dark as pitch. l could hear the
boys coming from all parts of the
camp to the horse lines. Before l had
gone ten yards l fell into shell
hole, water to my knees. Just listen
to the way an artillery driver can
swear. l hear the boys holler, "Tak-
ing his annual bath, the first since he
left Canada" l crawl out and strug-
gle on, at last l get to the horse lines,
harness my team, get into the saddle
and with two other teams and drivers
hitch to a wagon and pull for the
dump. Say we have am
nunition without end, carloads, train
oads, acres, of it piled as high as it
IAN be piled and still it is being dump
ID in by the trainloads every day and
every hour of the day. Well, we load
,ur wagons and then away for the
ines. AS we get near the first artll-
ey lines the constant roar of the guns
Increases in volume, star shells light
lp the sky in every direction. After
We pass the first lines of big guns
md the big shells from them begin to
70 over our heads-that is when | be-
rim to feel funny. Now and then
Iun she'll bursts near us and the mud
lies, but up-to-date 1 have not been
n any very tight places or had any
larrow escapes. The closest call
ave had, and it was nothing, was
aV or TWO dlIer L CAME HSIe. "A Aie1
lane came over our camp and our ,
guns got after him.
'ome shrapnel from one of our own
.uns fell about three feet from me. /,
)ur casualties have been light, con- ;
idering the number who are fighting I
nd the way we are after Fritz. We
ave hundreds of Hun prisoners. They
re kept here until there are 500 and
hen moved elsewhere. l have some t
uttons cut off Hun tunic and also
steel helmet. am saving them for t
ouvenirs. I
1--WE are happy most all of the time g
nd we don't mind few little hard t
hips. Of course we would all well t
ONE peace, but we are not worrying '
bout it. l did not quite finish my lit &
e story. We sometimes go close up i