Over the Top With the Third Australian Division | Page 7

A man came to the D.B.O. just after a certain engagement in connexion
with which the Australians did splendid work. They secured a great
victory. They got to their objectives on time and took quite a large
number of prisoners. Every victory has its price, and it was concerning
part of the price of victory that the young man had made the visit. He
told of his pal, a D.C.M. man, who had been killed, whose body was
lying out on the ridge. He wished to know whether arrangements could
be made for the body to be brought down to a back area cemetery for
burial. Whenever practicable such is done. The D.B.O. made inquiries,
and learned that no transport was available. The roads were in a
frightful condition, and in view of the incessant enemy shelling of the
area, decided that the body would have to be buried in the vicinity of
where it had fallen. Arrangements were made for the man to return on
the morrow for the purpose of acting as guide to the Padre who would
conduct the service. Next day, he came to the Burials Officer. Surprise
was evinced at the change in his appearance. His uniform was covered
with mud and wet through, and he seemed to be quite exhausted. 'I
have come about the burial, sir,' he said. 'Could it be fixed up for this
afternoon, I have brought the body down?' Upon making inquiries as to
how he had managed it, he replied that he and another had asked
permission to go out and bring the body in. It meant a carry over
broken ground of about five miles, under heavy shell fire most of the

distance; but these faithful comrades gladly endured the hardship and
braved the dangers to ensure the burial of their deceased mate in a
cemetery which is one of the few that has not been disturbed by the
bursting shell. Thinking that the deceased was a near relative of this
brave lad, the question was asked. His eyes filled with tears as he
replied: 'No, sir; we were pals.' Such an incident will surely suffice to
erase from the mind the false impression, which, unfortunately a few
seem to have gathered, that the Australian is devoid of sentiment.

SUNDAY, 'SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE'
The question that leaps to the lips in connexion with the title of this
chapter is, Why should the events associated with this particular day be
recorded? Are they different from what takes place on any or all of the
other days of the week--something special which clearly denotes that
one week has ended and another week begun? Is there a temporary
cessation of hostilities, during which bells are rung and men may be
seen wending their way to some established building for worship, or
does that indefinable stillness peculiar to the first day of the week in
peaceful places pervade all life?
Apart from the interest and curiosity that many attach thereto, there is
no significance in the selection of the day, and there is little if anything
associated with the events of Sunday at the Front to distinguish it from
any other day. Yet it is strange that though men may frequently confuse
the days between Monday and Saturday, they instinctively seem to
know when Sunday has come. Whether by chance or convenience, I
know not, some of the biggest 'stunts' have been initiated on the Lord's
Day. At times the voice of the Padre was scarcely heard above the din
and noise of heavy guns as they dispatched their projectiles of
destruction and death over the place in which a church parade was
being conducted. The recollection of certain events and experiences of
some Sundays will undoubtedly tend to make many a man more
thoughtful and analytic than the events or experiences entered into on
any other day during his active service career.

The disposition of an army is not affected by certain days, but by
developments within the area of operations. If Sunday should be
considered the opportune time for putting over a barrage, making a raid
on the enemy lines, or effecting an advance, no thought of the sacred
associations of that day is given serious consideration. The system in
vogue provides for units when not in the line to be in reserve or resting.
Such units supply working and carrying parties; so that the number of
men available for church services on Sunday is no greater than on
ordinary days. The war proceeds. Man may worship when opportunity
permits.
A summary of the events of one Sunday will suffice to convey an idea
of how almost every Sunday is spent at the Front. The weather is
seasonable: over the country a dense mist hangs low in the early morn.
The