Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1919-02-22 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

HEALTH AND HOME.  Hoppe, having heard of some place where they I were supposed to have British beer, had gone to have some in spite of it being out of bounds. Of course, when the " Angel heard of this he went off in search of him, fearing trouble. As luck would have it he had just got him out of the estaminet, when they were accosted by a sergeant of the Guards, who, upon learning their whereabouts, had them both piaced under arrest, which resulted in the '• Angel " getting seven ways " C. 8.," and a lecture from the C. 0. We were all annoyed about this, and detested the weal culprit more and more. Then, two nights later, the miracle happened. When love, perseverance, patience, call it, what you will, had its reward. We were in a very warm part of the line; right opposite the trenches we occupied was a party of the enemy on a bit of rising gfound—a part of a wood, or what had been a wood—who were peppering us and causing a lot of casualties. Orders came to "stand to," and we learned that we were to go over to shift "Jerry " from his 2ittle perch. At the given signal over we went, straight at him, but, oh! what a reception! He had evidently been expecting us, for he .was much stronger than e anticipated. It was one of the warmest raids I ever took part in, but .haps fough4 like tigers, and the 'Angel " psrticularly distinguished himself. We, however, were forced to retire, and had not been long in our trenches when there was a general inquiry for the "Angel," who was missing. I haven't the slightest hesitation in saying that, had I called for volunteers, although it seemed like certain suicide, they would have reSponded to a man. But, imagine our amazewen, when, without a word or sign, we saw Hoppa' little figure creep over the "Top." The Germans were sending over every missile imaginable, but, worst of all, the star shells were• lighting the ground all around. To say that we were astounded is putting it mildly. Hoppe, the despised,. snivelling little poltron, venturing into that living hell to save a comrade! Twenty-four hours later, by which time all our hearts were very heavy, surmising that both had "gone West." we came in for a further surprise. Hoppa returned for some grub, and went away with what we had to give him. and there they remained in "No-Man's Land" tor close on another twenty-four hours before a reinforced and suceessful attack dislodged the " Roche" from his position. These were the details I discovered later. Hopps had found the " Angel" with his left leg shattered, who had then and there ordered him back, impressing upon him to rove his own life if possible. Hopps was now a different being. Something had given way -within him that had freed that nobler self-saerlticing instinct that has a plats) within es This wiLed eampaign has given us unquestionable proot of what I mean. Instead of going back, however, he set about' getting the " Angel " into safety, and, having found a large shell-hole that afforded a decent shelter, he started with his burden. By sheer superhuman strength he managed to half-carry, half-drag the •' Anuel" to it, but not before he himself had received a bullet in the right eye and a piece of shrapnel in his thigh. There they had to lay for forty-eight hours, for, had the moved, the snipers would have got them. They were both in hospital a long time. The "Angel" left with an artificial leg, and his rescuer with an artlicial eye. Hoppa was the recipient of the D.C.M.. and to-day he is the servapt and willing slave of Dr. Gilbert Weldon, who has a very promising practice in his native town.