Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1918-09-13
ng my wounds, that h. would have 10

ing my wounds, that he would have n
take me to the operating tbe0ter I'm
medlately. Personally didn't care
what was done with lne.
In few minutes, four or,lerlics who
looked like undcrlnkers dressed In
white, brought stretcher to my bed
ana placing me on II carried me out OF
the ward, across n courtyard to the
operating room or pictures" as Tom
my calls II.
don't remember having the anes-
lheslic applied.
When | came to was again lying In
Il bed In Munsey ward, One OF the
nurses had draped n large American
flag over The head of the bed. and
clnsped In my hand was Il smaller flag.
and Il mnde me feel good all over to
again see the "StarS and Stripes"
Al that time | wondered when the
boys In the trpn rs would see the
emblem OF the "land II The flee and
the home OF the brave" beside them.
doing It's bit in his great war OF civil
llalon.
My wounds were very pninfls, aud
several times ut night ! would dream
that myrlIdS of khaki clothed figures
would pass my bed and each would
stop, bend over me, qnd whisper, "rhe
best of luck. mate
Soaked with pcrspralon ! would
awake with cry. and the night nurse
would come over md hold my hand,
This awakening cot 70 be habit with
me until that particular nurse was
transferred to another ward.
In three weeks time, owing TO the
careful treatment received, was able
10 sit up and get my bearings our
ward contained sryenty.tye patients,
30 per cent OF which were surgical
eases. Az the head OF ench bed hung
temperature chart and diagnosis
sheet Across this sheet would be
written 20. s. " or IS, W" the for.
mcr meaning gun shot wound and the
latter shell wound The IS, W" pre-
dominated especially among the Royal
Field artillery aud Royal engineers.
About forty different regiments were
represented mud many arguments en-
sued nS To the respective fighting abIl.
l,y Of each regiment. The rivalry was
jock arguing with M
lrishman then strong Cockney ac-
ccnl would butt IN in favor OF Lon.
don regiment Before long a Welsh
man, followed by member " York;
shire regiment, and. perhaps. Cana.
dian lnirudr themselves and the argu-
nent wakes loud aud furious. The
patients In the beds start hOwling for
l hem to settle their dispute outside
and the ward Is IN an uproar The
head sister rompS along und with
wave OF the hand completely r0utS the
doughty warriors aud again silence
reignN supreme.
Wednesday and Sunday Of each week
were visiting days and were looked
forward To by the men, because they
meant parcels containing fruit. sweets
or flags When patient had regular
visitor, he was generally kept well
supplied with these delicacies. Great
jealousy Is shown among the men az
To their visitors and many word wars
ensue after the visitors leave.
When man Is sent to GONZALES
cent home. he generally turns over his
steady visitor to the man In the next
bed.
Most visitors have autograph albums
and bore Tommy TO death by asking
him To write the particulars Of his
wOnnding In same. Several Tomnlies
try TO duck this unpleasant Job by tell.
Ing the visitors that they cannot write,
but this never phases the owner Of the
album he or She, generally she, offers
To write il for them and Tommy 10
slnng into telling his experiences.
The questions asked Tommy by vfsi-
tors would make a clever Joke book
10 military mnn.
Some kindly looking old lady will
stop AZ your bed and In Il sympathetic
voice address You: you poor boy
wounded hy Those terrible Germans
You must b. suffering frlghtful pain.
A bullet did you say? Well, tell me-
] have always wanted to know. did II
hurt worse going in or coming out7"
ITO nE EANTINIfEnA