Over the Top With the Third Australian Division | Page 6

everything satisfactory. The trenches must be kept clean
and sanitary. Every precaution is adopted to safeguard the health of the
men. The officer's visit was timed just after the issue of rum had been
made. Rum is not a regular issue by any means, but a little had been
made available at that time, and was supposed to be taken much the
same as is medicine, viz., on the M.O.'s recommendation. A few
minutes before the arrival of the officer of high rank the platoon officer
observed one of his men under the influence of drink. He learned on
inquiry that the man had secured some rum in addition to what had
been issued. To get him out of the way was his first thought. Somebody
suggested that he be placed on a stretcher and covered with a blanket. It
was no sooner suggested than acted upon. When the officer making the
inspection entered the trench two men bore the stretcher with its burden
past him. He stood to one side and saluted as he would the dead. Of
course the man on the stretcher was dead--'dead drunk.' No questions
were asked, therefore no untruths were told. The unit had the
satisfaction of learning that their lines were satisfactory; but in a certain
company's orderly-room the following morning a certain man had a
most unenviable quarter of an hour in the presence of his irate O.C.
TURNING THE TABLES.
During a raid made on our lines the enemy succeeded in reaching our
trenches, but were quickly ejected. Two of the raiding party were killed,

and as many were taken prisoners. One of them met his death in a very
tragic manner. A member of the ----th battalion was fast asleep in his
makeshift of a dug-out the night the Germans entered our lines. He
knew nothing of their visit until wakened by a heavy hand being placed
on his shoulder. Great was his astonishment on waking to find himself
gazing into the face of a Hun, who gurgled and gesticulated, which
sounds and signs he interpreted as an invitation to put his hands up. His
hands went up as he struggled to his feet. He then discovered that he
was about six inches taller than his captor and certainly much heavier.
When they got out on the duck-boards, the prisoner suddenly looked
down and allowed his gaze to rest on the boards at his feet. The
German's curiosity was aroused, and he fell into the trap set for him. He
made the fatal mistake of allowing his gaze to be diverted from the
prisoner to the duck-boards. By a quick movement the prisoner
possessed himself of his captor's rifle. One blow from a
tightly-clenched fist sufficed to lay him his length along the boards, and
the next moment the would-be captor was breathing his last with his
own bayonet through his chest, and the Australian was heard to remark,
'I'll teach the blighter to waken me from my sleep.'
HEROISM UNEXCELLED.
It would be invidious to single out one for special mention from the
great army of brave men who have upheld the traditions of the Empire
on the field of battle. Without mentioning the name of the hero the
following incident is cited as illustrative of many which speak
eloquently of the bravery of our 'boys.' Our lines were being furiously
shelled, and a member of a certain battalion was severely wounded.
Assisted by another stretcher-bearer, the hero of this incident
endeavoured to convey the wounded man to the A.D.S. The trench
along which they were walking was blown in, making it necessary to
carry the injured man 'over the top.' This was done in full view of the
enemy. While so engaged a 'Minnie' was observed coming over, and
warning was given for all to get under cover. All did except Private ----,
who, actuated by an impulse to protect a fallen comrade, and without
thought for his own safety, immediately threw himself upon the
wounded man to protect him. For this gallant act he was awarded the

Military Medal.
A couple of months later this same person was in the trenches when a
British 'plane was compelled to land in a very exposed and shell-swept
area. Both occupants of the machine rushed for the trenches. The
observer reached a place of safety, but the pilot, who was wounded, fell
exhausted. Without thought of personal safety, and despite the fact that
the Germans were shelling the machine, the stretcher-bearer climbed
'over the top,' in full view of the enemy, and carried the wounded pilot
to a shell-hole, where he rendered first-aid and then brought the injured
man to the safety of our trenches. For this further act of bravery he was
awarded a bar to his M.M.
'WE WERE PALS.'