The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-07-13
British Officers Tell of Life of Soldiers in Trenches at
 Red Cross Meeting
LETTERS FROM HOME
 THE JOY OF SOLDIERS
Women Have Splendid Opportunity for Service, Declare Speakers, in Aiding Government
 War Work

Lieut. A. Newberry Choyce of the Brit ish army, and Lieut. II. c. Milsom of the Canadian army, addressed a large gath- ering of home service workers of the Birmingham chapter of the American Red Cross, their friends and Red Cross workers yesterday afternoon in the bail- room of the Tutwiler hotel Both men are magnetic speakers and the audience gave close attention to the young officers as they depleted in graphic words the life of scldier in the trenches, his joys and sorrows. and sufferings and sacri- fees.
 Lieutenant Choyce was introduced by Howard I. Seal, director of the national service section of the United States shipping board, who spoke of the bravery and courage of the young officer, who has been thrice wounded on the battle field.
 The speaker expressed delight at being able to address the large crowd of Red
 Cross workers and dwelt on the splendid work of the Red Cross in battle-riddcn
 Europs. The work of the home service is a most beautiful work. declared the speaker, as these women visit the homes
 where husbands, brothers and fathers have gone "cver there," and see that they
 are getting their allotments and allow
 ances made by the government as well
 as see that they have every necessary
 attention. He urged them to be sure to
 encourage the families and sweethearts
 of men in France to write to them and
 be sure they are cheerful letters. No
 steamer should crosss the Atlantic ocean
 viii narrNinQ n bO%-S
 out there," said the speakers, as let
 ters are the one thing that make life worth living in the trenches" In describing just how the men were brought ol. of the trenches for a rest Lieutenant Choyce told many funny incl dents occurring in this move, and spoke
 of the urgent necessity of moving quickly and keeping all knowledge of thelr movements from the enemy. He de- scrbed in q most humorous fashion tns bathhouscs where troops just out of the trenches were taken for a change ot colthing and the pictures he drew of the many times the soldiers had stolen chick ems, ducks. geese and other fowls from the French people near whom they were stationed and of the arguments occur ring between them, each being unable : to speak the language of the other. The time spent iu the bilets behind the lines were happy ones for the men from the front he sa i'd,
 This is the opportunity of the women
 to come into their own, concluded the speaker, and only women who are willing to work are wanted al the front. Many of you will feel the sorrow that the women of England, France and Italy have felt fo. the past four years, for
 many of yor, boys will never come back, but you women of America must no; only do for your boys, but endure tor them until the world is made safe tor democracy
 Lieutenant Misom was sitting in the audience and upon the conclusion of Lieutenant Choyce's address several women arose and asked If they might not have few words from Lieutenant Nilsson, who was also introduced by MT. Beal.
 The Canadi officer spoke of the part the Canadian army had taken in carrying
 on the war and he urged America to stick it out until every nation has peace. The night war was declared, the speaker
 stated, he. with II others who were sit
 ting in the club, went to the recruiting
 station and were forced to fight their
 way in the line, but all had entered the
 service and now he was the only one left.
 He has been wounded several times and
 has passed through the shadow of death and is In America at pTeScHt lcSuPei at-
 ing. He spoke of the trips made night
 y across No Mans Land in an effort to learn of the movements of the enemy
 and how on several occasions they had
 learned of approaching gas attacks and
 had been prepared for them when they
 came.
 in speaking of the dawn when peace
 should come the young officer said' We are all looking for this dawn, but 1t Is not here yet, for we must work anu p,ake sacrifices for the coming of this glorious day. He spoke of calling at the e or Canadian soldiers who had been killed at the front, since his return to America, and of the wonderful spirit of the Canadian women. In many in- stances he had been shown enlarged pie lures of the heroes and each family
 wanted to know whether he had known tue,r loved one. The pictures were not draped in crepe, but hanging above them were the flags of the allies.
 Although l am in this country ol plenty. cannot forget the men over there. and the voices of the dead cal across the sea asking that the living keep the faith, and until the victory which brings everlasting peace to the world may we have the grace or carry 1 ing on.