Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-09-12
VETERAN TELLS
NARROWING TALE
CONTINUED from First Page.1

former resident of Lancaster and
has brother,' Leslie Leaman, who is
in service with the Rainbow Divi-
sion, Machine Gun Battalion, now
stationed at Long Island.
Only Few Come Back
His account of service in France
in the important battles of the war,
and his narrow escape from death
when all but thirty-five of 1850 men
in his battalion were killed is a re-
markable one. Because of his SER
vice with the Canadian forces he has
been given two war medals, one for
service at the front and the other
distinguishing him as a Grand War
Veteran"
1t was during Sergeant Leaman's
second enlistment that he saw active
service in France.
when l first enlisted most of our
time was spent in England in train
ing camps. Upon our return to
Canada l re-enlisted and this time
was sent direct to France with che
Seventy-ninth o. S. Battalion. There
were 1850 troops in our contingent.
Most of our active service was during
1916 at Verdun, on the Somme and
Ypres fronts. Although we were
supposed to be relieved of trench
duty after six days of it, at times
could get back of the line of shell
fire again for a rest. In the trenches
at all times there was extreme dan
ger and although not under fire part
of the time, our nerves were always
on edge and frequently the men
jumped at the slightest sound.
Deadly Charges
1T was during the lighting at
Vimy Ridge that the Canadians suf-
g,,
one of its charges lost all but thirty
five of the 1850 men. Some of these
were injured, including myself.
Later in returning to action again
was taken prisoner and kept in "A
German internpent camp for more
than two and a half months.
The prisoners were kept under
heavy guard and had no opportunity
of knowing where they were or
learning anything of conditions on
the front. At times in camp we did
not get anything to eat, but with
the exception of a few of the men
who attempted Ito resist the Ger
man troops, there was little cruel
treatment. After the exchange of
prisoners l was sent to Canada again
for discharge because of shra.pnei
wounds. AS to the service with the
allied troops, can say little except
along Ine Canaulan lines. AL times
we saw the French and English divi-
sions but were not together often.
Conditions in our camp were all that
could be expected"
Sergeant Leaman's discharge gives
the length of his enlistment, where
he has seen service, that his deport-
ment in service was excellent" and
that he had been awarded two war
medals.
Compliments Troop
He received his place as q nom
commissioned officer two days after
his first enlistment in the Canadian
service, as he had been a sergeant
in United States Army service. Dur
ing his seventeen years under the
American flag Sergeant Leaman was
a member of Company C, Ninth In
fantry; Twelfth Cavalry, and the
One Hundred and Fifth Coast Artil-
lery.
In 1905 while in California he met
a number of Harrisburgers who were
there attending lodge convention.
He spent to-day visiting them.
Sergeant Leaman was in the city
yesterday during the farewell pa
rade. He commended the boys of
Troop C for their excellent appear
ance and was impressed by the big
demonstration and patriotic spirit
shown by the residents of the city.