South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-05-04
LARGE CAMP IN
ENGLAND FILLED
WITH AMERICANS
Repatriation and 0emoblllza-
ton Machinery Take Care
of Returned Men.

WINCH ESTER. Eng, April L.
(Correspondence.) Morn Hill. one
OF The huge military reservations on
the heights overlooking this pictur-
esque old city. f. again an American
camp. During the war IL was the
principal assembly ground in Eng
land legions on the way TO the war.
Now Il IS the clearing station for
thousands OF battle-worn Ameri-
cans who are on the way home.
They are the men who fought with
the British forces.
All the far-flung armies OF the
empire are contributing to this as
semblage The Americans are COM
ing chiefly from France and the oc-
cupation forces in Germany. but
large numbers are making longer
journeys. Some have served in Pal
estine. some in Egypt. some in
south Africa and others i'm India.
Many are still i'm the East and 9TH
ers are with the British forces in
various parts or Russia IL is reck-
oned that II will be six or eight
months before all can be brought TO
England.
VI tlfn
Meantime. as fast as the Ameri
cans arrive in this country they are
sent TO Winchester and put through
the process or rehabilitation and
repatriation. other camps here
are being used TO comb out Colon
ials who served with the English
instead OF with their own armies.
The majority OF the Americans
who joined the British forces enlist
cd In Canada Most Of these are 10
be sent back. not 70 the point of
enlistment, but to their homes in the
states. a stipulation that was gen
orally insisted upon by Americans
when they volunteered their ser
vices.
Repatriation machinery turns
slowly and there are often consider
able delays, as it frequently happens
that a soldier arrives at the camp
weeks before his papers filter
through the devioIk channels in
which they move II is only by his
papers that a mans identity can be
officially established. Great care Is
exercised I'm this matter for, in the
British army. there have been many
instances OF soldiers exchanging
names and Identification disks.
Sometimes Trade Names.
II an American serving with a
British regiment wished to remain
i'm England and a British cOmrade
wanted 10 go 70 America, 70 would
he easy enough. n was pointed out
10 the correspondent. for them 10
swap names and disks. and II the
real Tommy was well coached and
lid not drop too many OF his "h's. &"
The scheme might succeed.
After repatriation, the Americans
are sent home as soon as transports
can be provided at southampton.
which Is only a dozen miles away.
Special sailings are arranged for
the soldiers who are taking wives
back with them
one husky Michigan lad now at
me camp missed his chance TO get
way with the last shipload OF un-
married men by making a sudden
entry into the matrimonial state. a
day or two before his transport was
10 sail he was spending the after
noon with an American girl he had
met IN " lnCneSleI- sue was EIuH
Patterson, y. j.. and he called her
Jersey"
NIaTries American Girl.
Well this is goodbye he said
as ne was about 90 return 20 camp.
Thinking or home dimmed the
girls eyes. Gee. 7 wish I was go
ing too" she exclaimed.
You mean that kid, said the
big Middle Westerner
Il sure do" she replied
Touched by her tears ne made a
quick decision "An right. come
along with me" he said. seizing her
arm He knew where q special IL
cense could be obtained. and few
hours later they were man and
wife
I'm telling the correspondent Of
his romance. the soldier remarked
.r wouldn't leave dog on this side
that good old Statue OF Liberty.
lie meant no disrespeCt 90 his bride.
a special canteen for these home
ward bound soldiers has been es-
-ablished at Morn Hill by the Am
Cricsn Red Cross.
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