The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-01-10

line DaLtlo OF IHe SOHme was SUN
raging. / had been hit by three rifle
bullets, one through the left cheek,
the other two through the left Shout
der, while engaged in trench raid \
for prisoners, and was on my journey
to Brightly.
I remember being carried down a
flight of steps and placed on white (
table in a brightly lighted room, a |
doctor and a sergeant bending over /
me-a delicious drink of ale, then the
whispered word "chloroform some
thing like a gas helmet being placed [
over my nose and mouth, couple of
long, indrawn, gasping breaths, a
rumbling in my ears; then the skyline
of New York suddenly appeared. This
was quickly followed by the Statue
of Liberty shaking hands with the
Singer building; a rushing, kissing
sound in my ears, like escaping steam,
and then-blackness
I opened my eyes. was lying on
stretcher, covered with blankets, in
low-roofed, wooden building. Across
the way from me was a long row of
stretchers, each stretcher holding a
wounded Tommy, some lying fiat, 9TH
ers propped up by folded blankets.
Others were sitting on their stretchers
tenderIy caressing an arm bound up
with white bandages.
Occasionally stretcher, reclining
on which was a muddy and bloody
soldier, would be carried down the
aisle by two stretcher bearers. This
stretcher would be placed in an open
space in the row opposite
I could hear hum of conversation
all about me, and as my brain cleared
snatches of it became Ineligible.
My right hand seemed to be in
wise. could not release 1t. Squirm-
ing in bed, which sent sharp, shoot
ing pain through my left shoulder, /
tried with my unbandaged eye to see
what was holding my wrist.
A Royal Army Medical corps man
was sitting on the floor at the head of
my stretcher, and had my wrist in his
grasp. He was about twenty years
old, and looked dog-tired; his chin
would gradually sink to his chest, as
if he were falling asleep; then he
would suddenly start, lift up his head
with a jerk, and stare around the
room. Pretty soon his eyelids would
slowly close. gave my arm a tug
and he quickly opened his eyes; then
across his face flashed smile. To
me it appeared like the sun rising from
behind hill at daybreak. That smile
sent warm glow through me. | be
. lieve that right then I was in love
with his boyish face. Then he opened
his mouth and. as is usual in such
cases. spoiled it all:
"Strafe me pink, but you do tyke
your own bloomin' time to come Out
O. chloroform. Ere I've been, bloody
wen balmy, 'oldin' your. bloomin
pulse"
Out of the corner of my mouth
asked him:
where am IY'
Still smiling, he hailed a stretchel
bearer across the way.
II sye, 'Awkins, this Brighter wants
a bloomin' map of Frawnce; e wants
to know where e is"
'Awkins, across the way, answered
''Tell i'm 'e's bloomin' well in San
Isaacs fish 'ouse down Tottenhan
Court Road, awaitin' for is order o
fish and chips"
This brought general laugh from
the Tommies opposite me and on my
right and left.
Somewhat incensed at their merri
ment, retorted:
"Quit your kidding; for the love Of
Mike, have some sense. What's the
matter? Am woundedT"
The stretcher bearer, still with thu
sunny smile on his face, which mad,
me feel a little ashamed at my resent
ment, answered:
NAV, you amt wounded. mgte
You just 'appened to fall down il
the bloomin' road and one o. thos,
blinkin' tanks crawled over you"
This rather frightened me, and il
a pleading voice asked:
"Please tell me; what is the matte
with met"
The stretcher bearer leaned owe
and read from a little tag pinned t.
my tunic:
&C. S. w. left face-(two) lef
shoulder. Cot"
Then he carried on:
"H'it means that you ave riff
bullet through the left side of you
clock (face) and two bullets through
your left shoulder, and that you're
cot case, which means that you won
ave to bloody well walk. Two of u
poor blokes will ave to carry you o.
a streteher. You sure are luck
bloke; pretty cushy, calls it"
asked him If the wounds were goo
for Blighty.
He answered.:
''Yes, you're good for Blighty, an
m a-thinkin' that they're good for
y