Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-29
PRIVATE GINGER SAVES
PLATOON COMMANDER.
BUT REFUSES THE v. C.,
fontinued from Eirst Page. J

one over the top. but he'd Sit down.
write q letter, and in about ten days
tir1o would receive through the mail
little oblong package, and we'd know
we were in for some more five round
rapids" we didn't blame the Ger
mans.
S,:ll. that harmonica had it's uses.
Often we would get down-hcartcd and
FED up" with the war. and grouse"
at everything in general Then Ikey
would reach in his pocket and out
would come that instrument of torture.
We would then realize there were worse
things than war, and cheer up eccord-
inEly.
On this particular rainy afternoon
in June VIC were in a talkative mood
perhaps 1t was due to the fact that
Curly Wallace had made his "Tommic's
Cooker do what II was supposed To do
make water boil in an hour and a
half A "Tommie's Cooker" is a spirit
stove. which is very widely advcr-
tiaed ea suitable gift to the men
in tho trenches. Many are sent out.
and many are thrown away.
Lives Cp to Reputation.
Any way. the Cooker" lived up to
it's reputation for once, though a little
behind its advertised schedule in max
ing water boil. Curly passed around
the result OF his efforts in tho form
of an ammunition tin half-full OF fairly
good tea. We each took n good swig.
lighted Woodbinc cigarette-thcy had
come up" with the Tations the night
hefore-and settled back against tho
damp carthcn walls of the dugout. to
see who could tell tho biggest lie. For
q fcw minutes silence rcigned--no ono
seemed to care to be- the first 10
brea: in.
Then Dick Turpin. turning to me.
asked:
Remember Burton. of A Company
Think he was in The Third Platoon;
the fellow that was recommended for
the v. c. and refused it. Got the
recommendation for rescuing his
platoon commander under fire."
answered in the affirmative. and
Dick Carried on" with:
II never could see into that affair.
because they seemed to be the worst
of enemies. The officer was always
picking on him. used 10 have him 'on
the crime sheet for the least ofense
Got him several days Of extra pack
drill. and once he clicked twenty -one
days 'crucfixion'-(FieId Punishment
No. |. tied to a timber wheel two hours
per day for twenty-one days).
NO matter what dirty fatigue or
working party came along, Burton's
name was sure to head the list
This Burton appeared to be a suriy
sort OF chap kept to himself a whole
lot, always broodinE, didn't have many
friends In the company, either. There
seemed 10 be something on his mind.
Most OF the company men said his
sweetheart back in Blighty had thrown
him down for some other bloke."
Happy Houghton butted in. That's
the way with this world. always ham
mcrinG ut n fellow. Well, know this
burton. and there's not q better mate
in the world, SO let that sink into
your nappcrs."
Don't get sore. Happy" said Hon
cncy. IF you don't mind. let's have
.thc story. ! mean no offense. Just
naturally curious that's all. You can't
deny that the whole affair has been
quite mystery to the brigade. Spit
at out and get 1t on your chest"
- Lets have it. Happy" we all
sshimed in chorus.
y fNcodb!ne. took two or three deep
epuffs, and started:
~ We'll, 1t was this way, but don't
a ask any questions until I am through.
a,i You know, Burton isn't what you'd
GALL a prize beauty when It comes to
locks. He's about five six In height.
stocky,J q trifie bow-legged, and mug
rnoscd. To top this he has q crop of