Over the Top With the Third Australian Division | Page 9

G.P. Cuttriss
guns and the whirr of aeroplanes. The
weather conditions were decidedly inclement, and, despite the good
wishes from friends in the Homeland, it was difficult to keep warm.
At the back of the lines, in a certain battalion's H.Q. billets, a number of
officers had assembled. They had come together by invitation to
participate in a reunion dinner. Everything had been done to make it a
meal worthy of the occasion. Great taste had been displayed in
decorating the table, and the cooks excelled themselves in the quality of
the food served. We seated ourselves immediately 'Grace' was said,
when somebody remarked that there were thirteen only, and suggested
that another be asked in to make fourteen. Little notice was taken of the
remark until the same officer ventured to predict that one of them
would 'go out' before the year ended. He was teased with being unduly
superstitious and attaching too much significance to the supposed
unluckiness of the number thirteen. His mind was evidently depressed
with the impression which he had gathered, and there was not lacking
evidence that the gathering ceased to interest him further.

[Illustration: Despite the good wishes from friends in the Homeland, it
was difficult to keep warm.]
Exactly a week passed, and another such reunion had been arranged for
the purpose of celebrating the passing of the old year and the ushering
in of the new. Several jocularly remarked that for G----'s sake we
should arrange to have more or less than thirteen present. Late on the
afternoon of the last day of the year, advice was received at B.Q.H. that
Lieut. G---- had been killed. He had gone down to the trenches to
inspect some work which was being done by his platoon, and was on
the point of returning when an enemy shell burst and a shrapnel bullet
went through his heart. This sad event recalled to us his words at the
gathering on Christmas night. His prediction that one would be missing
ere the year ended was fulfilled, and he was the one called hence.
Arrangements for the evening function were cancelled, and the next
day his remains were interred in the military cemetery, and the grave is
now marked by a beautiful cross made by a member of his platoon and
inscribed by his O.C. He was a fine fellow, full of fun and life, a true
comrade, an ideal officer, beloved by all who knew him.
The following pathetic incident speaks of the attachment which springs
up between officers and men, and incidentally testifies to the high
esteem in which our late comrade was held by one who had exceptional
opportunities for knowing him. Duty took me to the cemetery a few
days after the burial, and I noticed standing at the graveside with
uncovered and bowed head a soldier of the battalion. I could see that
the lad was deeply affected, and inquired as to whether he had known
Lieut. G----. 'Yes sir,' he replied; 'I was his orderly; and--I miss him so
much.'
Superstitions play a large part in the life of the average soldier, and
frequently gain the ascendancy over common sense. Though rather
reticent about expressing his religious views, he is in many respects
intensely religious. He may admit being superstitious and even boast
about it, or declare himself to be a fatalist. Fatalism in the vocabulary
of the soldier is just another name for Providence.
Few, if any, are afraid of death. They seldom give it a thought. The

general belief is that if a man's 'time' has come, nothing can possibly
avert it. Under this impression he goes into battle or takes up his
position in the lines. He consistently refuses, however, to be a party to
anything which is considered at all likely to precipitate the end. For
instance, no amount of persuasion would induce him to be one of three
to receive a light for his cigarette or pipe from the same match, and
owing to the strange coincidences in connexion with the number
thirteen, he is prepared to deny himself much.
[Illustration: A silent tribute to the brave.]
While soldiers are ever ready to avail themselves of every possible
comfort when in the trenches, they hesitate to make use of a field
service stretcher. They prefer to make their bed on the ground, under
the impression that if they were to lie on stretchers in the trenches they
would be carried out from the trenches on stretchers. One of a draft of
reinforcements was attached to a platoon which had been detailed to
proceed to the lines. On arrival, this man, despite many warnings from
the others, took possession of a stretcher and used it as a bed. About
eleven o'clock the following morning, the same stretcher was used to
carry
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