ATHY HERITAGE CENTRE

KILDARE OBSERVER

Athy Heritage Centre Virtual Tour Kildare Observer World War 1 World War Casualties John Vincent Holland

SEPTEMBER 1914

SOLDIERS REQUIRED

FOR THE ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS!

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Ex-soldiers of the regular army or special reserve, from 19-42 years of age, can enlist for one year or during the war. Other men from 19-30 years of age, can enlist for three years or period of the war.

NOTES & COMMENTS

FOR EMPIRE AND FOR PEACE

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In the first list of casualties amongst British Officers at the front appear many names of men known in this district, some of whom, we sadly reflect, have fought their last battle and have passed away to the sphere in which there is no use for arms and where political and social enmities have no place. To the friends of these brave sons of the Empire the Public of the Empire, for which they laid down their lives, will sent forth a message of sorrow and sympathy and of gratitude. Their loss unhappily is not a temporary one but the poignancy of their grief must be assuaged by the knowledge that those who have paid their debt to Empire and to Nature have in the very act which constitute the payment of that debt, their last breath on the battle field, won the soldier's crown of glory. Many of them sleep their long last sleep on the ground consecrated by their blood. They died at their posts - what boast can so win our admiration and our gratitude? To such sacrifices as theirs the Empire owes its proud position and the Empire is not slow to pay its last, if silent tribute. May they reap the reward of the faithful!

FROM MONS TO NAAS

BACK FROM THE FRONT

DUBLIN FUSILIERS THRILLING STORY

TOLD TO 'KILDARE OBSERVER' REPRESENTATIVE

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A slight thrill of excitement passed over Naas this (Friday) morning when a rumour spread that a private in the Dublin Fusiliers who had been to the front had returned to the Depot. The inevitable stories of terrible massacres and the Germans toll were soon afloat, exaggerated out of all proportion to the real tale it is scarcely necessary to say, though the soldier's story as told me was thrilling enough to satisfy the most morbid.

Here was no weather. Beaten soldiers decorated with scars and reduced to emaciation, or bearing on his countenance a reflection of the horrors of the campaign. Instead, I found a beardless boy, in truth, of fresh complexion bronzed by the French and Belgian sun, an intelligent young man, active though he limped slightly from the effects of the injury he sustained, telling a plain unembroidered story of war horrors, a coherent narrative though confused - as one might naturally expect - with regard to place names, and bearing the impress of truth.

In reply to my question he told me that his name was Bergin - Private Bergin, of the 2nd Battn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers - he was a native of Dublin, his age was 19 and half years, and he had been three years a soldier. "On Wednesday week", he said, "We were in action outside Mons from early morning till 9 o'clock at night. I saw no Germans, but we knew they were in front of us. Their shells fell all round, about and amongst us, and I saw many of my comrades stretched wounded in the trenches. We got no chance of firing, as we saw nothing to fire at. Anything would have been better than lying there waiting for - we knew what the shell fire was kept us up all day. We got accustomed to it after a while, and our fellows were in good spirits considering what we had to put up with without doing anything ourselves. About three o'clock to see MY BROTHER'S HEAD BLOWN OFF by a shell. He was close beside me at the time and I can't tell you how I felt. It was terrible! You get accustomed to seeing things in trenches, but when I saw my own brother killed I needn't tell you it upset me.

The firing went on all day, and at 9 o'clock at night - it was very dark at the time - we got the order to retire. We were glad to be allowed to do something, even though it meant retiring. We were out of the trenches in a moment. I left my rifle and my cap in the trench. We thought we were in a pretty level field and retired quickly when twenty or so of us found ourselves FALLING INTO A PIT, which had not been seen in the darkness. We were all more or less injured by the fall, and I got my back hurt. I have almost recovered from the effects now except that I am a bit stiff and then there was more waiting. We did not know where we were, and our comrades had gone on without us. In the darkness we could do nothing but lie there, many of us in pain. WE LAY ALL NIGHT IN THE PIT. A sort of sand pit, and early next morning we were picked up by the medical corps.

"We heard or saw no Germans, and I can tell you we were glad to see British soldiers again. We were taken across country to Boulogue and shipped to England. I have been in Gosport Hospital and was discharged yesterday morning. From there I was sent over here.

"Have you had enough of fighting?" I asked. "No" was his reply, "I want to go out there again. I have offered to go again as soon as they can send me. I have got a pass for the day now to go and see my mother and sister. They are alone at home and there were only the two boys - my brother, who was killed, and myself.

Noticing the stained and bedraggled condition of his Khaki Uniform. I questioned him about it. "Yes", he said, "These are the clothes that I went to the front in. A bit dirty, aren't they? You can't keep very clean in the trenches, or out of them for that matter, in time of war. You will notice my numerals - the Regimental shoulder badges - are missing. They were taken by the French girls, who came to us for souvenirs. That word was about as much as we could understand of what they said. They came to us as we marched through the towns and villages and cut off our numerals as keepsakes. THE FRENCH PEOPLE WERE VERY KIND TO US, and cheered us everywhere we went. They gave us food and seemed glad to see us.

"Where did you get that? I asked pointing to a small square of tri-colour ribbon - red, white, and blue - which he wore in the front of this cap.

"That ", he replied, "was given to me by a French girl before I left Boulogue. My cap badge had been taken as a souvenir a short time after I arrived".

"No", he said in answer to another question, "I was not in the Depot here before I went away. We were stationed at Gravesend before we went to the front. I came over without a cap, and I got this one I am wearing when I came here".

Then with a Military salute, he left me to prepare for the train to see his mother and sister in Dublin, and to bear the sad news of his brother's terrible death - if they had not already heard it.

KILLED IN ACTION

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LIEUT. R.S.T. MOORE, 12TH LANCERS.

When news reached Naas on Tuesday evening that Mr. R.S.T. Moore had been killed in action in France while with his Regiment, the 12th Lancers, the most profound sorrow was expressed on all side with Colonel and Mrs. St. Leger Moore on the death of their only son. A fine specimen of Irish manhood, 24 years of age, he was at heart a soldier and had the gift of making himself extremely popular wherever he went. Mr. Moore, like his father, could give a good account of himself in any manly game, and excelled in most of them.

MAJOR HUBERT CRICHTON.

It was rumoured in Naas on Thursday evening that Major Hubert Crichton only son of Colonel Hon. Chas. Crichton, was killed in action, and much sympathy was expressed with the Mullaboden family.

WAR NOTES

THE POSITION

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This says "The Times" in a leader on Wednesday, is the position. The immense German armies may be likened to a crab which has one curving claw extended toward the British Army and Paris, while the other claw is not yet visibly closing in. Paris remains calm, but is clearly, and no doubt prudently, preparing for the worst. The government and the foreign diplomatists are ready to leave for a temporary capital should the need arise, and masses of the civil population have already departed. All accounts describe the inimitable coolness with which the French are facing the menace which confronts them. They will fight on, and will continue the war for years, if necessary. such, too, is the spirit which animates Great Britain, as is attested by the swarms of recruits now daily being enlist. The whole nation realises at last the magnitude of the designs of Germany. Our military correspondent sketches the schemes which are openly discussed - and implicitly believed in - by German officers. They do not expect to overthrow Russia, nor do they want to. Their only aim in the east is to hold in check the Russian legions. They propose to make Belgium an appanage of their empire, to seize the channel ports of France, and then, while letting loose their waiting navy at our fleet, to attempt a raid upon England. The plan looks very pretty upon paper, and may sound feasible enough when debated in German beer gardens, but our military correspondent mentions a few quiet reasons why it will not go like clock work. We may leave him to dispose of these bombastic ambitions only recording that the immense and widespread defeat which Austria - Hungary has sustained on the border of Galicia somewhat upsets the German calculations. Lemberg is on the verge of falling. Petrograd, meanwhile, remains unperturbed by the check in East Prussia. The Russians are coming on.

The war office on Wednesday night issued the first list of names of officers killed, wounded and missing in connection with the expeditionary force. The list contains the names of 35 killed, 52 wounded, and 69 missing. Of the killed, eleven are of the King's own Yorkshire Light Infantry, five of the Royal Field Artillery, and four of the Royal West Kent Regiment.

The names of many well-known officers in Co. Kildare are amongst those killed in action, viz:- Captain C.H. Browning, R.F.A.; Major C.C. Holland, R.F.A.; Lieut. R.S.T. Moore, 12th Lancers, Lieut H.M. Soames, 20th Hussars; and Capt. R.A. Jones, R.F.A. Amongst the wounded are Lieut. J.E.T. Younger, R.F.A. and Capt. C.F. Blacker, Connaught Rangers. Amongst the missing is Captain H.H. Shott, Royal Berks.

Mr. R.S.T. Moore it is almost needless for us to state, is the only son of Colonel St. Leger, Moore, C.B. and Mrs. Moore, Killashee, Naas.

Mr. C.F. Blacker, who lies in Netley Hospital, is a son of Major Frederick Blacker, of Johnstown, and was master of the Newbridge Beagles for some time. He is a particularly fine horseman, winning over Punchestown's famous track with such horse as All Gold, Moortown 11., etc. besides many point-to-point events.

The Captain Fulke Walwyn, D.S.O., reported amongst those lying wounded at Netley Hospital, is not the Mr. Walwyn so well known in hunting circles and at point-to-point meeting as the Dublin Press State.

The following is the official list of well known jockeys who have joined the 19th Hussars:- Lord Torrington, and Messrs. H.W.T. Drake, Peter Roberts, Davies, R. Morgin, Percy Woodland, George Heasman, Archie and Ronnie Arbuthnot, Frank Blower, Norman Nutt, and Charles Weston.

Fleet-Surgeon Bolster is in charge of the luxurious P. and O. Liner, China, which has been fitted up for the reception of men wounded in naval battles, and is now know as hospital ship No. 6 Fleet-Surgeon Bolster, who is a son-in-law of the Rev. Canon Adams, is assisted by five other surgeons.

Every day Naas is the scene of some animation as the many recruits proceed to the depot to be pressed.

The Press Bureau on Thursday night issued two further lists of casualties in the recent fighting, received from the base of the expeditionary force. There are only seventy-three names, mostly from the ranks and there is no indication when or where the casualties occurred. All are wounded except three. One of these was drowned, one died of wounds and the other was killed. Four officers only are included all wounded. They are captains in different regiments. The regiments which suffer most severely in these lists are the Royal West Kent Regiment with twenty casualties; the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, 15; the King's own Scottish borderers, 11; and the Royal Field Artillery, 9.

OPINION OF GERMAN ARTILLERY

INFANTRY MOWN DOWN

SHOT IN FEET AND LEGS

MEN ARRIVE IN LONDON

5/9/1914 (Supplement)

An Argyle and Sutherland Highlander one of the wounded who arrived in London on Monday night, held forth from a stretcher to a group of listeners.

"I wonder whether we shall be allowed to stop in hospital here", he said. "I've been chased out of two already. The Germans shelled us in the field hospitals, but they didn't do much damage. You know, these couldn't.

"I have been picking up clothes as I came down", he went on, pointing to his shoes and socks. "These are French, and so is this blanket", he said; and he was going to give further details when he was picked up and placed in a motor car.

"Tell you another time. The French have been awfully kind to us", he cried as he was borne off.

"I think a great many of our fellows are only wounded", said a cavalryman. "It does not do to take much notice of what we hear. We were told that the 2nd dragoons had been cut up. We came across them, and they had lost very few men.

"The Germans were like a great big battering ram", said another. They did not seem to mind how many were killed, and sometime their men were simply thrown away. At one place the German infantry filled the streets and were simply mown down by our guns".

Some vivid stories were told by the British wounded. A young infantryman who was wounded in the thigh at Mons, said he was on a bridge across the canal.

"We did not", he said, "have much shelter. The fire was frightfully heavy. But, you know, they cannot shoot for toffee, and waste an awful lot of ammunition. The artillery is the worst, but even they can't shoot. It's numbers that does it - nothing else. As soon as we shot one lot down another came up. Their losses must be enormous".

"Shoot!" contemptuously echoed a railway infantryman, whose head was swayed in bandages: "German shoot! Why they could not hit this station at a thousand yards!"

AFTER THE BATTLE

BITTER STORY TOLD

FRENCH WEAKNESS AND MISTAKE

GERMANS UNDER-RATED

MEN AND STILL MORE MEN WANTED

5/9/1914

The "Times" special correspondent writes from Amien, August 29th:- I would plead with the English censor to let my message pass. I guarantee him that as regards the situation of the troops I have nothing to say that is not known and noted already by the Germany general staff. There is no reason either in strategy or tactics why every word I write should not be published. It is important that the nation should know and realise certain things. Bitter truths, but we can face them. We have to count our losses, to take stock of the situation to set our teeth.

OUR HONOUR IS BRIGHT

First let it be said that our honour is bright. Amongst all the straggling units. That I have seen, Flotsam and Jetsam, of the fiercest fight in history, I saw fear in no man's face. It was a retreating and broken army, but it was not an army of hunted men. Nor in all the plain tales of officers, non-commissioned officers and men, did a single story of the white feather reach me. No one could answer for every man, but every British regiment, and every battery of which anyone had knowledge had done its duty and never has a duty been more terrible. Since Monday morning last Germans advance has been one of incredible rapidity. As I have already written you, the British force fought a terrible fight - which may be called the action of Mons, though it covered a big front - on Sunday. The German attack was withstood to the utmost limit, and a whole division was flung into the fight at the end of a long march, and had not even time to dig trenches. The French supports, expected on the immediate right, do not seem to have been in touch, though whether or not they were many hours late I cannot say.

THE FRENCH BROKE

Further to the right along the Sambre and in the angle of the Sambre and the Meuse. The French, after days of long and gallant fighting, broke. Namur Fell, and General Joffre was forced to order a retreat along the whole line the Germans fulfilling one of the best of all precepts in was, never gave the retreating army one single moment's rest. The pursuit was immediate, relentless, unresting. Aeroplanes, Zeppelins, armoured motors, and cavalry were loosed like an arrow from the bow, and served at once to harass the retiring columns and to keep the German staff fully informed of the movements of the allied forces.

THREE LIVES FOR ONE

The British force fell back through Bavai on a front between Valenciennes and Maubeuge, then through Le Quesney, where desperate fighting took place southwards continually. Regiments were grievously injured, and the broken army fought its way desperately with many stands, forced backwards and ever backwards, by the sheer unconquerable mass of number of an enemy prepared to throw away three or four men for the life of every British soldier. In scattered units, with the enemy on it's heel, the 4th division, all that was left of 20,000 fine troops, streamed southwards.

BROKEN BITS OF REGIMENT

Our losses are very great. I have seen the broken bits of many regiments. Let me repeat there is no failure in discipline, no panic, no throwing up the sponge. Everyone's temper is sweet, and nerves do not show. A group of men, it may be a dozen or less, or more, arrives under the command of whoever is entitled to command it. The men are battered with marching, and ought to be weak with hunger, for, of course, no commissariat could cope with such a case, but they are steady and cheerful, and wherever they arrive make straight for the authority, report themselves, and seek news of their regiment. I saw two men give such reports after saluting smartly. "Very badly cut up, sir", was the phrase one used of his regiment. The other said: "Very heavy loss, I'm afraid, sir", when asked if much was left.

REGIMENTS WITHOUT OFFICERS

Apparently every division was in action. Some have lost nearly all their officers. The regiments were broken to bits, and good discipline and fine spirit kept the fragments together, though they no longer knew what had become of the other parts with which they had once formed a splendid whole, Certain things about fighting seems clear. One is the colossal character of the German losses. It is clear that although the French General staff knew that their Eastern Frontier defences had been so perfected as to force Germany to turn tot he flank to find a weak spot although they knew also that not for nothing did Germany antagonise England and outrage international opinion by violating and neutrality of Belgium nevertheless they underestimated the force of the German blow through Belgium.

GERMAN TACTICS

The German commander in the north advanced their men as if they had an inexhaustible supply of the bravery of the men it is not necessary to speak. They advance in deep sections so slightly extended as to be almost in close order with little regard for cover, rushing forward as soon as their own artillery has open fire behind them on our position. Our artillery mows long lanes down the centre of the sections, so that frequently there is nothing left of it but its outside but no sooner is this done than more men double up, rushing over the heaps of dead and remake the section. Last week so great was their superiority in numbers that they could no more be stopped than the waves of the sea. Their shrapnel is markedly bad, though their gunner are excellent at finding the range. On the other hand their machine guns are of the most deadly efficacy, and are very numerous. Their rifle is described as not first class, but their numbers bring on the infantry till frequently they and the allied troops meet finally in bayonet tussles. Superiority of numbers in men and guns, especially in machine guns, a most successfully organised system of scouting by aeroplanes and zeppelins, motors carrying machine guns, cavalry, and extreme mobility are the elements of their present success.

A QUALIFIED GERMAN SUCCESS

To sum up, the first great German effort has succeeded. We have to face the fact that the British expeditionary force which bore the great weight of the blow has suffered terrible losses and requires immediate reinforcement. The British expeditionary force has won, indeed, imperishable glory, but it needs men, men, and yet more men. The investment of Paris cannot be banished from the field of possibility. I saw the rolling stock being hurriedly moved. Proximus ardet ucalegon. We want reinforcements, and we want them now. His army has made a colossal effort, and moves with extraordinary speed. It is possible that its limits has been reached.

THE OFFICIAL PRESS BUREAU

In the houses of commons on Monday, Mr. Llewellyn Williams called attention to dispatches from two of its correspondents published in the "times" stating that the British army had met with defeat and disaster, and that British regiments had been broken to bits, and asked whether, having regard to the untold pain and anxiety - (hear, hear) - caused by the dissemination of such misleading statements the Government would not return to the time-honoured practice in this country of allowing press correspondents to accompany the army to the front (some cries of "No"). Mr. Asquith said it was impossible too highly commend the patriotic reticence of the press as a whole during the war up to the present. The publication of the dispatches referred to appeared to be a of a very regrettable exception, which he trusted would not recur. He doubted whether his honourable friend's suggestion was the best way under the altered conditions of modern warfare of dealing with the matter. The government felt that after the experience of the last two weeks the public were entitled to prompt, accurate, and authentic reports of what had happened at the front, and they were making arrangements to secure and more complete and adequate supply of such news in future (hear, hear) Lord Robert Cecil asked whether the dispatches in question were submitted to the press censor?

Mr. Asquith - I believe they were.

Mr. James Hogge - Will the right Hon. gentleman say why the press censor passed these messages?

Mr. Asquith - It will be raised on the adjournment.

The press association has received the following statement from the editor of the "Times": - "Mr. Asquith's statement in the house of common on Monday afternoon renders it quite necessary to make clear the position of the "Times in publishing the dispatch which has provided so much criticism in other newspapers. The dispatch which reached the office of the "Times" in the early hours of Saturday evening, was from the pen of an experienced and trustworthy correspondent who had seen fighting in many parts of the world and is not in the least likely to be deceived by idle rumours. As such it was necessarily treated with serious consideration by the editorial staff of the "Times" and, in accordance with instruction, was at once submitted to the official press bureau. The press bureau retained the message about three hours before returning it when it again reached the office of the "Times" certain passages containing references to the correspondent's routes had been deleted. Other passages and embellishments, however, had been added by the head of the bureau, who further conveyed an intimation that in its new form the dispatch was approved for publication. In these circumstances the editorial staff of the "Times" who were astonished at the decision of the press bureau and had made no arrangement for publishing the message, came not unnaturally to the conclusion that it was the wish of the government that it should appear.

BRAVE IRISH TROOPS

SAVE ARTILLERY BATTERY

"ONE OF THE FINEST DEEDS I EVER SAW"

WERE THEY THE MUNSTERS?

5/9/1914

Describing the four days' battle around Mons a wounded non- commissioned officer says the wonder to me is that we came through it as well as we did. Anything more astonishing than the way the Germans were thrown at us it would be had to imagine. The heaviest losses occurred in covering the retreat on Monday and the following days, for it was there that the Germans fought all they knew in a desperate effort to transform our retirement into a rout. It was here that our guns were lost. Halted out in the open, with weak infantry supports doing their best to stay the onward rush of the bluish grey clouds of Germans, the artillery men suffered terribly. German marksmen picked off horses one by one and then when the German cavalry swooped down the men could not get the guns away. As long as possible they stuck to their posts, but the officers saw that it was a useless sacrifice attempting to save the guns, and they ordered their abandonment. I only saw one battery lost in this way. In another case where the Germans lancers swooped down and killed the last man of one battery, the situation was saved by a couple of companies of an Irish Fusilier Battalion - The Munsters, I think - who rushed at the Germans with fixed bayonets and put them to flight, while the enemy's artillery poured a merciless fire on them. Many of the Germans around the battery were killed, and, of course, the losses of our men were not light. The Fusiliers were furious when orders came that they were to abandon the guns, as no horses were available. you could see them casting loving eyes on those guns all the rest of the day, and at night when the time came to fall back, the poor devils were dragging the guns with them, having captured a few German horses and supplemented them by men who were willing to become beast of burden for the time.

In a letter to his mother, private A. McGillivray, a Highlander, says: "Of my company only twelve were unhit. I saw a handful of Irishmen throw themselves in front of a regiment of cavalry, who were trying to cut off a battery of horse artillery. It was one of the finest deeds I ever saw. Not one of the poor lads got away alive, but they made the Germans devils pay in kind, and anyhow, the artillery got away to account for many more Germans. Every man for us made a vow to avenge the fallen Irishmen, and if the German cavalry men concerned were made the targets of every British rifleman and gunner, they had themselves to thank. Later they were finely avenged by them with the bayonets, they least expected it, and the Germans were a sorry sight."

"Having a good crop of hair saved me," says Martin O'Connor, who was wounded in Belgium. "It was a lucky cut with a cavalry sword from the centre of the forehead to the middle of my head. I have had twelve stitches put in. I am going to have another slap at the Germans.

More of the Missing

Thirteen Dublin Fusiliers

Arrive at Boulogne

Story of German ambush

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Boulogne, Saturday

Stragglers from the British Army pass through here increasing numbers. On Saturday we had thirteen of the Dublin Fusiliers, who became detached from their regiment a fortnight ago at Courtois. They looked a strapping lot of fellows, smart and soldierly, in spite of the miscellaneous set of garments that they were wearing, which looked more like petticoat lane that anything else. The fortnight the thirteen had spent, six days they were in hiding in a barn of a chateau. From there having buried their uniforms they pushed across county on foot aided by friendly peasants, and fortunately, missing the Germans, expect for a transport train, three miles long, which they passed unchallenged. The non-commissioned who had assumed charge of the party said: We walked right into a German ambush as we were marching along the road one morning. They were in the fields on both sides of us - thousands of them to our hundred - and they shot us down by scores. How we got away is a miracle. The only thing to do was run for it, while the bullets were flying round us for, I supposed a couple of miles. I had my great coat on, and I had to get my accoutrements off, throw away my great-coat, and get my accoutrements on again. It took me, I suppose, a minute and a half, crouched in the middle of a field, with bullets whizzing past in hundreds.

Eventually the Fusiliers succeeded in striking a straight course for Boulogne, where they arrived fit, although exhausted and footsore with the "heavy going" over the mangolds. Unlike some men I have seen, these Fusiliers have nothing but respect for the Germans artillery.

"It was every bit as good as our own," one of them said. " They got the range in five seconds, and there was a burst of shrapnel over our heads. The two men to the left of me in the trenches were killed and I and the man to the right, who had gone to sleep where he lay from sheer exhaustion, were left untouched. The Germans had more machine guns than we had, and they had a way of working round to the end of our trenches and turning their guns right down to the length of them, the effect of which was deadly. I found these particular men distinctly sceptical of stories of German brutality. Villages, they said, were usually set on fire accidentally by shells, and though they told me of a case of firing - unfortunately effective - on the stretcher bearers of their own regiment, they added that this took place in the confusion of a night melee.

NOTES AND COMMENTS

12/9/1914 P4E

Ireland's part in the war

We have heard that the numbers of Irishmen joining Kitchener's Army do not come up to expectations or that they do not compare favourably with the numbers enlisting on the other side of the channel, but if they are flocking to the order regiments the same as there are to the Dublin Fusilier we can scarcely believe that Ireland not contributing in proportion to her available population of male adults. For weeks past crowds of men - all sorts and conditions - pass from Naas and Sallins stations to the depot, where they are clothed and dispatched for training. As many as 200 on several days of the week entered the depot. Many of these, no doubt are English and Scotch, the bigger proportion from the other side being Scotch, and many of them sons or grandsons of Irish settlers over there who have chosen to fight for their country in the ranks of a regiment whose records on the battlefields of South Africa and of France and Belgium are, indeed, achievements of which country or any regiment might well feel proud. Every Irishman has a double dose of pugnacity. The martial spirit of the warriors of bygone age has, like many of the Celtics traits, survived and defied the ravages of time, and there is a particular reason why Irish sympathy should turn to the battlefields of France and Belgium. The performance of Irish warriors at Fontenoy have not been, revives the call of the past. The last vestige of racial bitterness is in process of deletion by the mingled blood of Irish and English soldiers, flowing in a common cause and in a common object. Can the immolation be vain in any sense?

FOOD FOR THE RECRUITS

There have been allegations afloat for a couple of weeks past of a shortage of food at Naas Depot. Rumours have gone the rounds that the men are insufficiently provided for the report is untrue, we are in a position to state. It seems to have gained currency in the following manner: Number of recruits are each day sent from Dublin and other centres to the depot as they join. They are provided with vouchers which enable them to travel free of charge to Naas, and are in addition given some money to obtain food during the first days of their soldierhood. It would obviously be no easy matter for the authorities to provide meals each day for and indefinite number of men, as they never know whether 20 or 500 will come to the depot. In very many cases, human nature being what it is, it is found that the man on arrival at the depot have no money having spent the sum with which they set out on drink for the most part the result is that being penniless in consequence of their own improvidence many of them must frequently go hungry for a day - the day of their arrival, because the next day and thereafter they are put on the food list and are provided for. At an ordinary time there might be little sympathy or consideration for men so thoughtless for themselves. But the present is not an ordinary time, and we must be prepared to recognise it and make allowances for it. Mr. K.L. Supple, County Inspector of Police, has interested himself in the Question and has made arrangements by which recruits who are hungry are provided with tickets at the Depot, and on production of these tickets at the canteen are supplied with a meal. On Wednesday night Mr. Supple, with Mr. F.V. Devere, started a collection in the town and obtained a sum of money from the inhabitants with a view to discharging the cost of the food provided. It is to be hoped that the appeal made will meet with a generous response by those-and who is not amongst them? - who are anxious that the soldiers should not go hungry. Subscriptions towards the fund - even the smallest- will be thankfully received by Mr. Supple or Mr. Devere. We are sure all will be anxious to help with a contribution.

KILLED IN ACTION

Major Hubert Crichton, Irish Guards

The rumour to which we gave publication in our columns last week reference to Major Hubert Crichton proved only too true when the casualty list was issued on Saturday morning. In his short life Major Crichton had seen a lot of service and won distinction every place he went. Like his father, Colonel Hon. Charles Crichton, he was a great sportsman, and few saw more of hounds when they ran straight and fast. Most profound sympathy with Mrs. Crichton and her young family and the deceased's aged father was widely expressed.

Mr. C.F. Blacker, Connaught Rangers.

With extreme regret we announce that of Mr. Cecil Blacker, son of Major and Mrs. Blacker, Johnstown, Naas whom we announced last week amongst the wounded lying at Netley Hospital, died on Monday morning. Great hopes were entertained for this recovery up to Saturday; Although he was wounded in the leg and body and had an attack of pneumonia it was thought that a fine robust constitution would pull him through. His parents were with him when the end came.

PRINCE OF WALES' NATIONAL RELIEF FUND.

Third list of subscription's already received by Lady Weldon, Hon. Treasurer for Co. Kildare:- Amount already acknowledged £1,670 14s. 3d.; Colonel be Burgh Oldtown, Naas, £25; Newbridge Church Offertory (per Rev. D. O'Connor), £20; Colonel St. Leger Moore (Fourth Donation to the fund), Killashee, Naas £15; Mrs. Henry Mansfield, 44 Sunday's well, Coric, £10; Naas Presbyterian Offertory (per T.R. Gibsons, Esq.), £91-s; Kilcullen Church Offertory, £9, 3s 5d; United Parishes of Donadea and Kilcock (per Major Aylmer, Courtown), £6 5s; Joseph Smythe, Esq., Greenawn Goura, Naas, £5 5s; Brigadier General and Mrs. Waldron, Melitta Lodge, £5; Mrs O'Connor, The Grove, Celbridge, £1 1s; Mr. Thomas Lumley, Duke Street, Athy, £1 - TOTAL, £1,782 18s 7d.

Lady Weldon will feel much obliged if any further subscriptions could be sent in as soon as possible, as she wishes to send the above donation to Buckingham Palace by the 12th of the month. She hopes by then the amount will have reached the sum of £2,000.

THE "DUBLINS" AT THE FRONT

CORPORAL'S THRILLING STORY

FROM I.E. CATEAU TO NAAS

FULL STORY OF HIS CAPTURE AND HIS ESCAPE

12/09/1914 P5B

Last week I reproduced the substance of an interview with a private of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who had returned from the front and was at the time I saw him in Naas Depot. This was the first real personal experience of a British Soldier told in this country straight from the front. This week I am in a position to give a more detailed account of actual happenings in contact with the enemy in the North of France. On Monday morning Corporal James O'Donnell, "D" Company, 2nd Battn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers, arrived at Naas Depot, where he told me the story of his experiences at the Front - a lengthy catalogue of thrills such a few British Soldiers will be able to narrate.

Corporal O'Donnell is a highly intelligent, well educated, young man, a native of Ormagh, and the fact that he is able to discourse unconfused on matter coming under his observation, on place names on the French Frontier, and above all, of his hazardous position is one in no small degree to his fluent knowledge of the French language.

I may tell his story in his own words, suppressing names of persons and places in conformity with the wishes of the authorities.

"We disembarked at Boulogne". The Corporal told me, "About 4 or 5 o'clock on Sunday, 23rd August, and even at that early hour there were lots of people about to give us a cheery and hearty reception the camp was situated outside the town, which was decorated with flags, and all day French people came up there to see and to cheer. On Sunday night we were again moving, this time by train, passing through Amiens. We detrained at Le Cateau, which was at that time General French's Headquarters, and on arrival we were informed that our cavalry were in action we were part of the 10th Infantry Brigade. After about half an hour's rest at Le Cateau we started on a long march. We were told we formed part of the support at that time, and might be called upon at any moment.

I WAS ON OUTPOST DUTY that night when we got the order to march again right on to the Belgian Frontier and quite close to Maubeauge. We marched all night, and the next morning had a jolly good breakfast - the last good one we had - on the roadside, and entrenched at once in the fields ready for action. We knew then our time was coming soon, because about two miles off the guns were booming for all they were worth, and there was also a lot of rifle firing. It was coming closer and closer, and I concluded that our artillery were retiring. We stayed in the trenches waiting for the enemy to come on, with the Irish Fusiliers in front. Suddenly a German aeroplane appeared over our heads and the companies fired at it, but without hitting it as far as we could discover. Firing was kept up all day and that evening we withdrew a bit - up into the vicinity of a farmyard, almost surrounded by a wood. At this time the Sea Forth Highlander were on our left. "That evening the first really exciting incident, as far as we were concerned, occurred while we were getting down to our tea.

WE HAD JUST STARTED OUR MEAL when suddenly the shells came blurting all around us, some of them shattering the roof and chimney of the farm house, which came clattering down amongst us. The shrapnel was falling all about us, but after the first shock of surprise our fellow's were walking about with the greatest coolness, and viewing the scene one found it difficult to realise that the next moment might be the last for many of us. The

farmyard had previously been deserted, and saw no one about it except and old man who had remained in charge of the cattle. Were one shell to burst here in the barrack yard there would be commotion. There we sat at our tea and no one moved until the meal was finished. All the time the artillery fire went on, and we could see some of the wounded Seaforth Highlanders being carried back from the line of fire along the road which skirted the farmyard. Some of the shells had got them in the trenches while we were more or less under cover of the wood.

"It was now getting dark. Scarcely a mile away on our left a village which had been set on fire by the Germans threw its ray almost up to our lines. WE WERE EXPECTING THE GERMAN CAVALRY to come along, and as soon as we had finished tea two of our companies went round the farm house and into the orchard in front and waited there until about 11 o'clock. I should have told you that while we were at our tea our artillery came up quite close to the farmyard and started thundering away at the enemy. When the two companies went round to the orchard we remained in the farmyard ready to support them. The German Cavalry came along and the two companies allowed them to come within 200 paces before they opened fire. It was not a very strong detachment of Cavalry and, as far as I could make out, merely came along to see if we were there. At any rate, they were wiped out by our fire. You could hear riderless horses galloping along the road for a long distances. Some of them were caught by our men and taken to the farmyard. With regard to the roads are something like our own. But the bye-roads, or at least all of them was hard work. We marched all that night and until daybreak, and it was very fatiguing. Again we found ourselves being shelled by the enemy. This was on the 26th, when the big fight took place near Le Cateau. No one could get by the first few shells, and we got entrenched, with a little village on our left, as quickly as possible. We could see the German Infantry coming over the hills, and the Warwickshire Regiment charged right over the hill and drove them back. Then there was a General Engagement and continuous rifle firing by our men along a frontage of about three miles. We were well forward in the centre and two of our companies were in the firing line - "A" and "D" of the Dublin Protecting our artillery with the left of our line on the little village. The enemy raked our trenches with the shells and I saw two men killed in the trenches beside me, while several were wounded. The machine gun firing by the enemy was simply terrific, though it did not do as much damage as it ought to have done. Behind us our artillery kept battering away at the Germans, who were trying to silence them, but most of the German shells were DROPPING ON US IN THE TRENCHES.

"I was beside our officer, and we had a fine view of the whole affair. I can say our Royal Field Artillery firing was splendid, because as the Germans came over the crest of the hill after the Warwicks had finished with them, the artillery officer's glasses. Yes, the men behind us were blowing German infantry to shreds in the centre at the top of the line of hills.

"The German Infantry made desperate effort to break through in the centre, and it was our artillery and the Warwicks that kept them back. Tow shells struck the ground where the officer and I were standing and simply HALF BURIED US IN MUD. A minute later two or three of our men on our right were killed and several wounded. You will think it rather strange when I tell you that toward evening with shells dropping all around and the thunder of artillery, I went to sleep in the trench I was so absolutely fatigued. I seemed to have slept for a couple of hours, and when I awoke it was still bright and the booming of the guns was worse than ever. It was terribly trying lying there not able to move and not knowing what moment a shell might drop on you. When I awoke I was surprised and rubbed my eyes for a minute before I could realise where I was or what was happening. Then some biscuits were passed along the trenches, but it was hard to get water and we suffered a lot from thirst. It was a broiling hot day. This bombardment continued until daylight failed. That night we were ordered down on to the road with fixed bayonets, expecting a cavalry attack. Our stretcher bearers and doctors went out to collect some wounded on the left, the church in the village I told you of being used as a hospital, and I moved off to get a drink of water from a well that had almost been drunk dry. The houses in the village were all wrecked, and there was a perfect hell there for a few minutes when the German Cavalry and Infantry attacked it under the cover of darkness. Afterwards some of our fellows, who had retired, told me OUR STRETCHER BEARERS HAD BEEN SET UPON by the enemy and killed. Our doctor was captured, but somehow managed to escape.

"There was a tornado of fire in this village and bullets whizzed and sang all round the place for about half an hour. It was a dreadful melee. There was a regular hail of bullets and I, who in seeking a drink had got detached from my comrades, lay flat on the road. Eventually the German were repulsed. Some of our men told me a body of Germans were getting it hot raised their hands to show they wanted to surrender, and so soon as our people got within twenty yards of them to take them prisoners they poured a volley into them, THEY SUFFERED FOR THEIR TREACHERY by being wiped out.

"When this had ended we decided on a retirement. The whole countryside was like a half moon on fire - villages and farm houses were burning and illuminating the country for miles around, and some of the house at least, I know could not have been set on fire by the shells. Every night it was the same old game, and our lads used to look forward every evening to what they called the fireworks.

"Just as the day was breaking of the morning of the 27th we got into a village called Ligny-En-Cambresis, where the peasants fed us with bread and water. It was all there was to be had and we were very glad to get it. We were two companies - "A" and "D" - of the Dublin at this time and about 30 or 40 stragglers from other regiments who had got separated from theirs fellow during the night. We were all in high spirits. Just at daylight we marched out of this village, and as we were marching along the road we were attacked on our left and front. It appeared that we had run into an ambush laid for us. The Germans entirely our numbered us and their rifle fire was terrific though we hadn't many killed at the begin. I remember Lieut. Dobbs shouting in the Din "COME ON, BOYS, let us show them what we can do, although they have caught us." We were firing for all we were worth at this time and two men on my left were killed and an officer - Lieut. West - was wounded in the hand. We were surrounded and everybody realised that we had been trapped. It seemed to be the case of our surrendering, but this we did not do. There was then nothing left but to make a dash for it back in the teeth of their shells, and the officers determined to adopt this course than surrender. The only way it could be done was by dashing in small parties. I was with Lieut. Mackey's party, and of our little contingent only our leader another Lance Corporal and myself escaped. We had to cover about 700 yards under a perfect rain of bullets, and those of us who escaped were saved by a beetroot field. About half way towards comparative safety we were forced to lie flat in the beetroot and were covered by the leaves. I have a vivid recollection of lying there and listening to the enemy's bullets clipping the leaves off the beetroot over my head. We hadn't very many killed, however, although a lot of our men were knocked over. The rifle fire of the Germans was bad. Throughout I was very much impressed by the coolness of the officers and the men. A private of the Dublins made me almost laugh with his daring. He was out on the right on the firing line and he got up and walked about it he midst of the fire, loading and firing his rifle as coolly as he was it he barracks yard. He was a big fellow and a good target but they didn't hit him. Somebody said: "I am afraid we will all be finished here" "Not at all, Boys," said this big private - Kennedy his name - "Keep up the firing." A little later we decided to make another dash for it, and three as I've told you escaped. The shelling was terrific at this time and our wounded came in for it very badly. When we got out of the beetroot field I saw a farmyard and thought I would be safe there for a while, so I made or it. I had no sooner reached this than they started shelling it also and it was then I GOT SEPARATED FROM THE OTHERS.

In the orchard of the farmyard I filled my pockets with plums. I got on to the wall of the farmyard to see what was happening and how best to get away from it, and I saw Captain Clarke and some others making toward Ligny-En-Cambresis. I followed and re-joined them and we went down along the dried-up bed of a river. We were joined by stragglers from other regiments and were now a party of nearly sixty, fully equipped. In this river bed we hid for two days and a night. The captain manage to get some bread and tea from a railway man close by. We were completely cut off from everybody by this time. Here we were joined by Captain Trigona and some others, of the Dublins. We were now back in the centre of the Battlefield of the previous day and the country people were collecting the wounded. We had got into a quarry when a GERMAN AEROPLANE STOPPED RIGHT OVER US, and some German infantry discovered us. We were now on the outskirts of Cambresis and up to our knees in slime and mud. The captain determined it was better for us to move off, as we had been discovered, and we were moving when a detachment of German Cavalry came upon us. Some of us made for stalks of corn, or, indeed, anywhere to escape observation. I ran for a wood that was close by, and in doing so got detached from the others, but I believe the party have arrived at Shorncliffe eighty strong.

"It was getting dark by now and I was very fatigued. I went up to a house that had been wrecked by shells, and went inside to be under cover for some time. In one of the rooms I found a bed. Just as I heard a voice shouting in broken English: "Are there any English Officers or soldiers there?" But I thought it was better not to answer, as it might have been a German. I got into the bed I had discovered and lay there thinking over my plight. In order to ease my feet I took off my boots and after that I remember nothing until I awoke next morning about dawn. I got out of the house and crept along a railway line for about a mile in my socks. After crossing a bridge on the railway I saw a lot of dead bodies of Germans and a few British. There was a dense fog at the time, and it had begun to lift when I walked into a village and INTO THE HANDS OF SOME GERMANS.

They were a small party of infantry with a few cavalry, of course, I was captured. They didn't seem to pay much attention to me, and I soon made up my mind that there might be a chance of getting away. The opportunity presented itself and I made a dash for it round a corner. I heard a few shots fired, but I managed to escape and managed to reach a wood where I hid all that day. By good chance I had tea and sugar with me. I had to rest satisfied that day with chewing tea and eating the sugar. That was all the "food" I had that day.

That night the moon rose, increasing my danger, as the German where quite close to me. I could hear them moving about and blowing trumpets. I had heard the officer some time previously say the direction he would take and I followed in the same course after the moon had gone down, going cross country I reached another farm house, also deserted. Finding a barn of straw I got into it. It was now about 1 o'clock in the morning. I could see the German fires and knew where the enemy were.

"At daylight I was awakened by some peasant coming into the yard they treated me very kindly and brought me the village of X, where the mayor of the village gave me seven francs and as much as I could eat and drink and hid me in the attic for some time. The whole place had been wrecked and looted, although it had been spared from burning. I heard tales from the people of how the Germans treated them. They had taken everything valuable they possessed. One man I saw myself who told me the terrible burns he was suffering from where caused by being THROWN INTO A FIRE by the Germans. He told me how the Germans had vented their spleen by breaking up his threshing machine, and of how they had ill treated women. "The mayor supplied me with clothes and I disguised myself as a French peasant. I have the clothes still here" - indicating his wet bag - "And this is the peasant's vest I am now wearing. I intend to keep the clothes as a souvenir. The mayor also provided me with one of his workmen to act as guide, and we started across country with shovels as if we were French workmen. That was on Sunday and as I left the village the church bell was ringing and the people were going to mass. The guide took me right across country and on Sunday night we slept in a stable and were fed and very well treated by the owner while trudging along the road to X we ran into a long line of German transport and cavalry. We walked alongside them for about a quarter of a mile, and then turned up a bye way and into a house as if we belonged to it. The Germans had the railway running. Forty-five trains of German soldiers passed that day from Valenciennes to Cambrai, and their sentries were guarding the bridges. On Sunday night we reached X. I made two attempts to get across the bridges. But as the Germans were keeping a very strict lookout and stopping some of the people, it was perilous. Finally I GOT AN OLD WOMAN to come along right over the bridge with me as her son, and in case we were challenged it was arranged that I was to be a deaf mute. We were not questioned, however. The German simply nodding to her as we went past.

"Leaving my benefactor I got right across to X, where I stopped the night. Next morning I got off and reached Frevent. I was making for Boulogne all the time. From there the following morning I started for d'Hesdin, where I was very kindly treated by the people. The French Reservists there chaired me through the town when they found I was a corporal of the British infantry. From that I went to Etaples. Here I was delighted and astonished to meet, also in civilian clothes, one of my own section - A private Donaghan. From that I came the following morning to Boulogne, and found there was a torpedo boat in the harbour.

ABOARD A TORPEDO BOAT.

"The officer took me aboard the Torpedo boat and there I found the jolliest and the best lot of fellows I have ever met in my life. Nothing was too good for me. We put out of Boulogne, and I thought I was going to have a still further exciting time when the order came to clear the decks for action. There was no fighting to be done, however, and after spending a night and part of two days running about the north sea I was landed at Dover. There, where I was clothed in uniform, I stayed for a day and they sent me on here.

"Are you anxious to get off to the front again?" I asked this man of many thrilling experiences.

"Yes" He said, I want to go out again, and hope to get away with the next draft. The kindness of the French people apart from any question of Imperial interest, is enough to make a man want to go back there again."

I have heard wiseacres say that no man ever wants a second experience of the Battlefield. They would be confused, I imagine, if they listened to Corporal O'Donnell's story and witnessed his manifestly genuine desire to return to the front though scarcely not washed free of the core of the Battlefield.

MORE FROM THE FRONT

FORTY-FIVE "DUBLINS" ARRIVE IN NAAS

THE STORY OF THEIR ADVENTURES IN FRANCE

12/9/1914 P6A

Tanned by the sun of Northern France, bedraggled in appearance, with badgeless caps and almost buttonless tunics in evidence of the souvenir-hunting craze of the French women, telling tales, consistent in detail and therefore credible on the whole, of tight corners and hair-breadth escapes, but withal cheery and light-hearted, and to a man anxious to get back to the scene of conflict once more. These were the characteristics which chiefly impressed me about the men, some forty five in number, whom I saw at the Naas depot on Wednesday. They had that day returned from the front and, like the others I have met from the same scene of activity, they told of deeds performed by the Irish regiments - not boastfully, but yet with a certain pride - on French and Belgian soil which must be allotted no inconspicuous place when the history of the European war come to be written. They told, too, of the valour of English regiments they had seen in action such as the Warwicks, who fought side by side with the "Dublin". There was nothing narrow or petty about the views these men expressed of Brethren in arms, no matter from what quarter of the Kingdom they chanced to come in defence of the empire. They had emerged from their baptism of fire, and from perhaps still greater perils to which their detachment of their regiments and their comrades exposed these strangers in a strange but generous and friendly land. None of them had suffered bodily injury, else they were not here to tell their tales, but they referred not infrequently with an unmistakable sadness of tone to the name of comrades who had fallen dead or wounded by their sides on the Battlefield of Northern France.

These "Dublins" were a truly cosmopolitan crowd - Irish for the most part, but from almost every province of Ireland.

"Angus McClelland", said one amongst the number when I asked him for his name, and apart altogether from his patronymic, there was no need to ask from what country he came to the colour once you heard HIS BROAD SCOTTISH DIALECT. Angus came from Stirling. Another told me he was Lance-Corporal Laurence Synnott. His accent, without the additional information that he came from Liverpool, proclaimed him English but - he took advantage of the opportunity to inform me - he was of "Real Irish" decent.

Then there was privates Denis Parr and John Brophy of Carlow, Patrick Hennessy of Carlow-Graigue, Patrick Dempsey of Mountmel lick, Treacy of Naas, Patrick Ormsby, Christopher Walsh, Joseph Carr, Wm. Byrne of Dublin, Patk. Nolan of Baltinglass, John Lawler of Athy, Corpl. Walsh of Limerick, and many others amongst the number, all of "D" company of the 2nd Battn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

"I'm anxious to go back to the front again", Pte. Parr, of Carlow, told me, "If they'd give me two hours first to go and see my people at home." Perhaps he will get the chance he so ardently desires. At any rate, he is fit and sprightly and well "Would you like this as a souvenir?" he asked handing me a little book of cigarette paper hearing the name on the cover "Papier Goudron Lax." "It was given me by a Frenchmen when were in hiding in a wood near Lews, but of course, it was no good to me, as I had no tobacco. But the French people keep pressing things on you over there - whatever they may have, and if you are writing anything about us don't forget to say that anything like the hospitality of the French people to the British soldiers it is impossible to imagine.

Each man had to tell a similar tale of generous treatment at the hands of the French. There was no exception to this rule.

CARLOW SOLDIERS STORY

"We were at La Cateau," said Private Parr, "and had to retire to a village - I can't remember the name of it - and in the retirement we were again attacked some of us went to the right of the village and some to the left, while others went straight on. We had run into an ambush it seemed and we were in a tight corner. About 25 of us found ourselves crossing a railway line and after crossing we met Captain Clarke with about 18 men near the village of Ligay. The Captain managed it beautifully, and we broke through the enemy's line of communication and marched to Lens, from that to Fervent, and from that came back by train to Boulogne. From there we were taken across to Folkestone. During the time we spent travelling before we got the train we worked all day in the fields for the farmer and walked all night. We captured two Germans on our way and found that one of them was armed with one of our rifles. Some of the fellows who joined us had been captured and had escaped. Once we caught a German soldier, who was either cut off or scouting. We blindfolded him lest he should tell which way we had gone, and tied him to a tree, telling the natives to release him after we had gone. He had ONE OF OUR RIFLES and a Bayonet and one round of ammunition. "Some fellows of the Royal Scouts told us that ten of them had been captured by the Germans, who stripped them of their clothes, motioned them to run off and fired after them as they ran. They escaped - all ten of them - Scot free. But there's no mistake about it they're terribly bad shots, these Germans. Before we fell in with captain Clarke's company a chap names Morgan and I while crossing a Bridge were fired on by the Germans. We could not see them and I don't know how many of them were firing at us, but there must have been quite a number. But they hit neither of us.

"One of our chaps who was captured and managed to escape told us the Germans had made him march in front of their firing line when attacking us. I don't know where he got to eventually, but HE ESCAPED FROM THE ENEMY THAT TIME.

Lance-Corporal Ormsby told me a corroborative story, their idea in making for Boulogne in the first instance, he said, was to rejoin the troops. When they reached Boulogne, however, they found that the base had been changed and were sent to England. Private Lawler (Athy) told me of a rather humorous, but withal pathetic, little incident that occurred after they became detached from their comrades. "At Le Caudry (Courtois), a village, "He said a party of Germans pounced upon us and opened fire. There were only two of us there, but I suppose they didn't know that. We returned the compliments and fired like devils, as we made up our minds to die game. Joe Salinger, of Carlow, was my comrade, and between us we shot eight Germans. Don't forget to say that. Poor Joe got a Bullet in the knee and was taken to hospital, but WE POLISHED THE BEGGARS OFF. We were both nearly satisfied to die then we had eight of them to our credit between us. But what do you think happened? We were fighting them near the hospital and had finished our work when a full corporal rushed up to me, caught me by the back of the neck and asked me did I want to get the hospital destroyed."

The poor fellow spoke as if he felt an undeserved slight had been thrown upon him after his notable accomplishment.

Corporal Walshe (Limerick) had an exciting story of his adventures. "We were at Le Caudry, he said eight of us altogether, who had become cut off from our regiment. The major thought it desirable, as the Germans were about, that we should hide. We lay in a cave for five days, and while there got information that the German were searching the wood for us. Two of our fellows used to go up a tree to see what was going on and how the land lay the people about used to bring us food and leave it inside a wall close to the cave. One day our scouts found food left there as usual and attached to the cork of one of the bottles was a note telling us to be prepared to leave the village in disguise as the position was becoming dangerous. On that day - Tuesday - civilian clothes were sent in to us and we were warned to be prepared to leave that night. We left - 17 of us in all, made up of our eight and nine others belonging to different crops. From which they had been cut off.

"At daybreak we arrived at another village and were informed by the inhabitants that in a village on our left the Prussians had an hospital. We managed to procure a map and compass and made our way as best we could until passing along the road to Cambrai we got in contact with a GERMAN CONVOY 3 1/2 MILES LONG. We were of course, disguised as French peasants, and our only chance seemed to be to start work, so we went a little further on beside the Convoy and turned into a field where we set to work making up storks of corn. The Germans paid no attention to us and we pushed on to another village that night. Coming near the village the Sergeant-major in charge of us - Sergt.-Major O'Connor - went to look for some food at a house, but the French man in charge of the house did not want us and told us to go. We went and lay under some trees, when suddenly we heard a noise that alarmed us. Almost immediately two motor transports with provisions for the enemy passed close by to where we were. We then decided to cross the main road and make for the shelter of some storks of corn on the opposite side, while two of our party agreed to go back to the village to try to get some food. They went to the village, but could get nothing. Suddenly they came in contact with the German sentries near the village and had to beat a hasty retreat.

Next morning we started away at five o'clock and walk to the village of Mons, where the inhabitants gave us a good reception and food. The chief magistrate sent to Arras to ascertain if any of the enemy were there. A French paper chanced to come in calling up the French Reservists - the second French army. The chief magistrate of Mons decided we could remain till one or two o'clock and be accompanied by SOME FRENCH RESERVISTS. He procured us a car, which carried us to another village, where we were joined by the French Reservists. They had a few cyclists with them who patrolled the roads. Between the different villages to see the coast of clear.

"We stopped at a village called Beaumetz that night and left at 4.30 the following morning for St. Pol. when we arrived at St. Pol. a woman, who spoke very good English, met us and took us to the mansion house, and there we got some food. We left St. Pol. by the 6 o'clock train that evening for Boulogne and reported to the Vice Consul., who directed us to proceed by the 9 o'clock boat the following morning and we landed at Folkestone safe and sound".

"Well told - like a book," said another soldier, who, like the corporal, still wore the French peasant costume supplied them after their cave life. Both he and the Corporal, I discovered, were reservists of the 2nd Battalion and both had been through the Boar war together. Nor are they yet tried of service on the Frontier. They are in high hopes of being sent away with the men of the next detachment leaving for the front.

THE FLIGHT AT MONS

ATHY SOLDIER'S EXPERIENCES

12/9/1914 P6B

A Dublin Fusilier who was wounded by a bit of German artillery shell and sent home to recuperate have an interesting account of his experience. He was on the reserve and on being called up proceeded with his regiment to Belgium, from whence they were hurried up to the front. He was in Mons for the big battle fought there between the allied troop and the Germans. On the day of the battle they were just going to have breakfast when the enemy commenced to attack their force. A fierce duel ensued between the guns and the infantry also got the range. The artillery was on the road and the Dublin Fusiliers on the right wing in an adjoining field. The position becoming untenable, large numbers of men being killed in the Royal Irish Fusiliers and Royal Dublin Fusiliers as well as other units a retirement was order. While carrying out this manoeuvre many were wounded and killed outright, and the subject of the interview was struck by a piece of a shell in the hip and knocked over. He was picked up by the red cross men and sent back to hospital for treatment. The hospital site had later to be abandoned owing to the vicinity of the Germans and the wounded removed to France and from thence to Netley. Like all the soldiers, who were in action, this man was impressed with the number the German authorities can keep in the field and the daring with which the faced the Allies. As quickly as they were pick off by the riflemen and mown down by the artillery fresh troops appeared in the vacant gaps. Speaking of the French soldiers and people he said they were overwhelmed with hospitality and kindness. He spoke in eulogistic terms of the Republican troops as comrades. His wound is healing slowly and, like all Irishmen, he is anxious to go out again to take a hand in the fighting.

WAR NOTES

CURRAGH OFFICERS IN CASUALTY LIST

12/9/1914 P8C

The official list of casualties on Monday morning includes the following:-

Wounded - Capt. J.D.E. Travis-Cook, 2nd S. Lancs., Bernard Lodge, Curragh Camp.

Missing - Capt. H.B. Kelly, R.A.M.C., Curragh; Capt. C. Morley, 2nd Manchester Regiment, Curragh.

Major and Temporary Lieut. - Colonel P. Maclear, R.D.F., and officers reported missing, Lieut. Mackey is unofficially reported a prisoner.

The list of wounded includes the name of G.E. Belville, 16th Lancers and Lieut. J.M. Gordon - Dill, 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers, Both well knew in County Kildare.

MAJOR H.F. CRICHTON

Major H.F. Crichton whose death was announced on Friday of last week, was the only son of Col. The Hon. Charles Frederick Crichton of Mullaboden, Ballymore-Eustace, formerly of the Grenadier Guards and was therefore a nephew of the Earl of Erne. His mother, who died when he was about two years old was Lady Madeline Seymour, eldest daughter of the third Marquis Hertford. Born in 1874, he joined the guards in 1896, and became a Major four years ago. He was with the Nile Expedition of 1898, and at the subsequent battle of Khartoum receiving the Egyptian medal with clasp. He saw active service in South Africa in 1902, being employed with the imperial Yeomanry in Cape Colony and elsewhere. For the African campaign he received the Queen's medal with two clasps. Major Crichton married in 1903 a daughter of Mr. LLewellyn Saunderson of Kingstown, Dublin, a brother of the late Col. the right Hon. Edward James Saunderson, who was for many years the champion of Ulster Protestantism in the house of Commons.

LIEUT. R.S.T. MOORE

In the roll of honour and unhappily amongst the list of killed writes "D" in the "Evening mail" is the name of Lieut. Moore of the 12th Lancers. Mr. Moore who was only 24 years of age, was the son of Colonel St. Leger Moore of Killashee, Naas, Co. Kildare, and a well-known member of the Kildare St. Club. One of his ancestor was a Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. I think I spoke yesterday of the Irish Imperial Yeomanry in the South African War, Col. St. Leger Moore went out in command of the 74th, or second Dublin company, and if I remember rightly, was wounded in the campaign, and in any case was mentioned in dispatches, and given his C.B. the Moores of Killahee are a typical outdoor, open-air, sporting Irish family, and Col. St. Leger Moore has been president of the Irish Amateur Athletics Association, as well as master of the Kildare Foxhounds. The utmost sympathy will be felt for him in the previous affliction he has sustained.

DEATH OF MAJOR HOLLAND

In military and hunting circles in Co. Kildare much regret is expressed at the death of Major Holland, who was killed in action. Major Holland was attached to the Royal Artillery when stationed at Newbridge, and was very popular. He leaves a wife and a little son.

Captain Reid, of the Suffolk regiments, who is reported missing, resided during the past twelve months in Newbridge.

Captain Nisbet (Manchester Regiment), so well know in hunting and cricketing circles in the County Kildare, was, we regret to say, killed at Mons, while trying to save the life of a private.

Colonel G.K. Ansell (5th Dragoon Guards), whose name has been returned amongst those killed, was one of the most brilliant polo players ever seen in the United Kingdom, and in company with Major Neill Haig, General Remington formed a team representing the Inniskilling Dragoons, capable of holding their own with any quartet.

LIEUTENANT J.C. CROZIER

Second Lieutenant J.C. Baptist Crozier, reported "missing" with eighteen other officer of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, is the only son of the late Rev. Henry W. Crozier, and a nephew of the primate of Ireland.

MAJOR BRUNSKILL

Major H. Brunskill, R.A.M.C., who is reported as "missing" was sanitary officer for the Dublin District, which embraces the Curragh as well as the Dublin depots. He was in charge of the District Laboratory at Dublin Castle and specialised in the study of sanitary science. He was well known in Irish Cricket circles.

WAR NOTES

"DUBLIN" OFFICERS MISSING

12/9/1914 P8D

Major Shewan, D.S.O., Captains R.L.H. Conlan and G.H. Higginson, and Lieutenants J.F.K. Dobbs, C.H.L.E. West and J.E. Vernon, all of the Dublin Fusiliers, are amongst the officer reported missing. Major Shewan was severely wounded at Colenso and played a distinguished part through out the South African War. He was well known in Naas, where he spent some years at the depot. Captain Higginson was also very well known in Naas, having only recently left the depot.

Lieutenants Dobbs and West are amongst the officers referred to in the special article mentioned elsewhere giving the substance of the "KILDARE OBSERVER" representative's interview with soldiers back from the front.

Captains Clarke and Trigona, also mentioned in the article, have returned with the stragglers cut off from their regiment.

HODGESTOWN BOY IN HELIGOLAND BATTLE

Mrs. Bridget Freeman, of Hodgestown, Kilcock, has during the week received a letter from her son, Joseph, who is a stoker on board one of the British battleships engaged in the battle near Heligo land recently. The writer gave but Meagre details, merely stating that they bet the Germans and that there was no casualty o his ship. He added that he was sorry he was forbidden to tell where his ship was or what it was doing.

CONNAUGHT RANGER BACK FROM THE FRONT

As the remains of Lieut. Blacker were lowered into the grave at Maudlins on Thursday a spectator of the sad scene was Sergt. Finnegan, of the 2nd Battn. Connaught Rangers, who had that morning arrived in Naas from the front en route to his home at Boherboy, Dunlavin. He paid the last tribute of respect of his former officer and companion in arm at the battle of Mons on August 23rd. There was infinite Pathos in a little incident that occurred at the graveside. Plucking the shoulder badge from the stained uniform he wore he threw it into the grave on top of the coffin.

The Sergeant, who spent 8 of his 11 years' service in India, returned to Ireland last year and took part in the army crosscountry chase at Chesham, outside London, in the beginning of the present year. He left with his for the front, and on getting into action South of Mons on 23rd August was struck by a wagon pole, hurting his back. From the effects of the injury he was forced to fall back tot he ambulance. He subsequently travelled 40 miles by road in motor ambulance with Lieut. Blacker and was sent across to England from Boulogne. He was taken into a temporary hospital fitted up at Brighton, and is now quite recovered from the effect of his injury. He has got seven days pass, after which he expects to rejoin his regiment at the front.

THE TREATY OF ALLIANCE

The "Daily Mail" says - The Treaty of Alliance signed on Saturday between great Britain, Russia and France pledging all three powers not to conclude peace separately pledge to victory and the most convincing and effective rejoined to German intrigues. Before the war tempting offers were made by German to Great Britain and Belgium to buy their neutrality and were rejected with scorn. After the war began German Diplomacy mobilised its force to sow division between the Allies. The attempt has failed. Never in the history of any past alliance has been such complete unity of view or such entire loyalty in co-operation as has been displayed by the three partners to the new alliance.

DUBLIN MOTHER'S RECORD

Mrs. M'Cullagh, No.10 Tolica Cottages, Botanic Avenue, Drumcondra, has five sons and four nephews in the British army, and all except one, who is in India, are at the front. She is the wife of a labourer and seems proud of the fact that she has been able to make such a substantial contribution to the forces of the empire in this great crisis. Her sons and nephews are scattered over the Irish guards, the engineer, Royal Irish Fusiliers and Dublin Fusiliers. So far, Mrs. M'Cullagh has not received any intimation from the war office that any of her relatives have been wounded or missing, and she is accordingly hopeful that they have not been the victims of any mishap.

NAAS MAN'S THREE SONS AT THE FRONT

Mr. Denis Scully, Town Sergeant, Naas, himself an ex-colour Sergeant of the "Buffs", has three sons at present serving at the front-one in the Dublin Fusiliers and two in the ordnance survey. Two of his nephew are also soldiers. A record to be proud of.

CANADA AND THE WAR

AN ENDLESS STREAM OF TROOPS AND GIFTS

TAKING NO RISKS

19/9/1914 P3A

Canada realises more seriously than many at home that "the Hun is at the gate", and she is acting accordingly. There is no longer talk in the Dominion of, "Assisting the mother country". Canadians recognise that they are fighting for their very existence as a people, and they realise that no price were too great to pay for this protection. Hence the reports that come from all parts of the North American Continent. From Halifax and Prince Edward Island right across to Victoria, eager crowds are surrounding the recruiting offices, only a selection of whom can be taken. Refusal, however, does not the ardour of the men, and it is stated that at the present time there are no fewer than £6,000 in the Valcartiez camp who arrived there without instructions. They simply bought their tickets, took their seats in the trains and presented themselves to the minister of Militia, whether he wanted them or not. Such material is too good, to be refused and it is already being shaped into another Canadian contingent.

Perhaps the most remarkable instance of this kind occurred when the Fort Garry Regiment of cavalry, which included many of the leading citizens of Winnipeg, marched into camp nearly a thousand strong. Officers and men, it is stated, had chartered two special trains for Valcartier, and the arrival of the regiment is said to have been a complete surprise to the hon. Colonel Sam Hughes, M.P. the Fort Garrys are a mounted regiment, but they are quite prepared to serve as infantry.

In the meantime contributions in kind continue to be offered to the Government from all parts of Canada, not the least welcome of which is that from the Province of Saskatchewan, which offered the British War Office no fewer than 1,500 horses. Needless to say the offer was immediately accepted. Another recent and very welcome gift is that of 1,250,000 tin of canned salmon from British Columbia for the use of the troops in the field.

Such a spirit is bound to conquer in the end Canadians have no doubt as to the result of the war, but at the same time they are taking no risks.

"BUSINESS AS USUAL"

(Canada's Motto)

While Canada is sending her sons to fight the Empire's battle on the plains of France and Belgium she is also concentrating attention on matters that will concern merely herself and the empire, but the whole world later on. She is thinking of the harvest in Europe and of the crops for next year's harvest that cannot be sown, and she is preparing to put every acre possible under crop. There will be a market for all she can grow; prices will be good, and the impetus to agriculture for which the war has been responsible will do much towards attracting back to the land many who, as in England, had deserted it for towns and cities similarly in regard to her industries, Canada is determined that the motto shall be "Business as usual", as is exemplified in the announcement that the postmaster-general has issued. Instructions for the resumption of money order business between Canada and Great Britain, through as yet only on a somewhat modified basis.

SOLDIERS REQUIRED

FOR THE ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS!

19/9/1914 P4D

Ex-soldiers of the regular army or special reserve, from 19 - 42 years of age, can enlist for one year or during the war.

Other men, from 19 - 30 years of age, can enlist for three years or period of the war.

LIEUTENANT R.S.T. MOORE 12TH LANCERS

WOUNDED NOT KILLED

19/9/1914 P5E

On Monday evening last the report that information had been received by Colonel St. Leger Moore, C.B. Killashee, Naas, that his son, Lieut. R.S.T. Moore, 12th. Royal Lancers, who was reported previously as having been killed in action on August 25th was not killed, but wounded, and was in a French Hospital, was received with the greatest satisfaction. The report, we are happy to say, is quite true, as the following letter from Colonel St. Leger Moore shows....

"Killashee, Naas".

"We have received information that our son, Lieut. R.S.T. Moore, 12th Lancers, reported killed in action, August 25th, is alive and in a Red Cross Hospital at Bavai, near Lille. He is severely wounded in the ankle and slightly in the hands, and is doing well. May we take this opportunity of warmly thanking the count less friends who were so kind and sympathetic to us in our trouble".

WOUNDED AT CAMBRAI

NAAS SOLDIER BACK FROM THE FRONT

19/9/1914 P5C

Private Michael White, "A" Company, Royal Dublin Fusilier, was in the firing line at Cambrai in the retreat from Mons on August 26th and was in the fighting line three days before he was rendered Hors-De-Combat by two Germans bullets. His wounds have now healed and he has been granted 14 days' Furlough. He is at pre sent in his home at Rathasker Road, Naas, none the worse for his wounds. "I was one of four platoons of the 'Dublins'," He told me, "sent to hold the hills at Cambrai at all costs, but ten times our number could not have performed the task, as we soon found out when we saw the numbers against us. I was in the fourth platoon under Lieut. Mackey, who was afterward captured by the Germans and is now a prisoner, I believe. I tasted the lead of the German twice. The first wound I believe was here" - holding up his right hand, the third finger of which bore a recently healed scar. - "I paid no heed to that. It was nothing, and I got back into the ranks and fired away after I had got a bandage tied around it to keep the blood from bothering me. We were retiring all this time, and I asked Captain Clarke where I could get me hand bound up when THE BLOOD WAS TROUBLING ME. He told me to go back to the village - Cambrai - and I would find No.2 Red Cross Hospital there.

"I had got my finger bandaged when a German aeroplane buzzed right over the Church, which had been turned into a temporary hospital. The people in the aeroplane dropped a black disc suspended by a cord over the church for the purpose, I suppose, of giving the range to the artillery. A few minutes' later the steeple of the church came tumbling down and some French doctors and nuns were killed amongst other. This is not hearsay, as I saw it with my own eyes. We - some wounded - were told to clear out, as the place was about to be shelled and we lost no time in going, those of us who could look after ourselves. "As I have told you, I rejoined my comrades, who were at this time retreating and some four or five hours' later, while we were fighting on our retreat some miles from Cambrai I GOT ANOTHER BULLET - this time in the groin that knocked me over, and I was sent to the field hospital at Rouen. That night we had to clear off from there and got on board a ship which came through the Seine. We disembarked at Southampton, and a lot of us were sent to Plymouth Hospital, which was in charge of civilians and territorials. They fed you well and looked after you but did not bother to enquire further about you. That was the reason why, although I was wounded on August 26th, my name did not appear in the casualty list until a couple of days ago. It's the same with hundreds of others. They do not bother about reporting you as being wounded or in the hospital until you are fit to leave, and then they inform the authorities and you are sent to Naas or wherever you regiment may happen to have come from. I was discharged the day before yesterday - on Tuesday - and was the only on of the wounded sent to Naas.

"Yes" he said replying to a question I asked him as to whether he had seen any of the German brutality we hear so much about. "I saw two of our bands men - Private Flannery and Ives Flannery was from Tipperary and we called him "Tipp", and Ives is an Englishmen) go out with the stretcher from them and turned them back. I met them on the road and Flannerys hand was bleeding. He told me THE UHLANS HAD BROKEN HIS FINGERS with a slash of a sword. The Germans are all right now to our fellows when they are being forced to retreat themselves, but when they were marching on us they murdered all before them. I believe they are told if they meet a British soldier to shoot him or he will shoot them.

"Yes, I'm feeling quite fit again now", said the private. "When my fortnight is up I'll go back to my regiment, and hope to be sent to the front again. I want to get some of my own back off those fellows".

SOLDIERS REQUIRED

FOR THE ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS!

Ex-soldiers of the regular army or special reserve, from 19 - 42 years of age, can enlist for one year or during the war. Other men, from 19 - 30 years or age, can enlist for three years or period of the war.

NATIONAL RELIEF FUND

ASSISTANCE FOR THE DEPENDENTS OF MEN ON ACTIVE SERVICE

26/9/1914 P2B

The Committee of the National Relief Fund is extremely anxious that no delay whatever should occur in the giving of such assistance as may be needed by the dependents of men at the front. As much misconception exists, we think it well to publish the following instructions:-

"Those needing help should apply to the local representative of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families' Association, or if the address is not known, they should apply to the Mayor or Chairman of the Urban Council or Chairman of the County Council, as the case maybe, who will either himself give them the necessary help or refer them to the nearest branch of the Association.

"General enquiries should be addressed to the Head Office of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families' Association, 23 Queen Anne's Gate, London, S.W.".

TO THE EDITOR " CORRESPONDENCE

CHURCH LADS' BRIGADE

Sir - after sending upwards of 5,000 of its members to join the Colours, there offer of the Church Lads' Brigade to raise and train a special C.L.B. Battalion of members and ex-members for the new army has been accepted by the War Office. Details are now completed, and enlistment is taking place throughout the country, as the C.L.B. Battalion of the King's Royal Rifles it will form part of that distinguished regiment. While the Church Lads' Brigade exists first of all for a religious object, its excellent military method is proving a national asset to-day, and the lessons of religion and patriotism, so unselfishly taught for twenty-three years by clergy and executive officers, are now bearing valuable fruit.

As Governor and Commandant of the Church Lads' Brigade, I would ask you to publish this letter in order that any ex-members, not aware of the formation of this C.L.B. Battalion, may send in their names without delay to the Secretary, Church Lads' Brigade Headquarters Aldwych House, Catherine Street, Strand, W.C.

At present over 1,600 applications to join this battalion have been received at headquarters and since it can only be 1,100 strong, the possibility of a second battalion is being considered.

Yours faithfully,

Grenfell

Field Marshal,

Governor and Commandant.

Aldwych House London W.C.,

Sept. 22nd, 1914

STRANGER THAN FICTION

NOW NEWS OF LIEUT. R.S.T. MOORE REACHES HIS NAME

26/9/1914 P5B

The announcement made last week in the "Kildare Observer" that the official report of the death of Lieut R.S.T. Moore, 12th Lancers, son of Colonel St. Leger Moore, C.B. and Mrs. Moore, Killashee, Naas was incorrect and that the Young Officers parents had received information that he was wounded and in hospital at Bavai, near Lille in the North of France close to the Belgian Frontier, was received with the greatest satisfaction, and was the source of numerous congratulations to his family.

In the course of a conversation which I had with Colonel St. Leger Moore. He told me of how the pleasing news reached him and of a coincidence which must stand out conspicuously amongst the many strange features associated with the domestic interest in this memorable campaign.

It will be remembered that about three weeks ago Colonel St. Leger Moore received official intimation from the war office, that his son had been killed in action on August extraordinary, he told in the Colonel's own words. "I crossed to London", he said, "after I received the stunning intelligence of my son's death. They told me at the war office there could be no mistake - my son was dead and bearing the name "Captain Dwyer, R.A.M.C., Brittas, Co. Dublin," informing me that my boy was alive, through wounded and in hospital at Bavai. "Very early next morning I motored over with Mrs. Moore to Brittas. Pulling up at a farmhouse I saw an old man digging in the garden. I asked him if he was Mr. Dwyer and he answered that he was.

"Have you a son a Captain in the R.A.M.C.?" I asked. "Alas, I had," the old gentleman answered plaintively, "But he is missing and we - his mother and I - believe he is dead poor boy". "I handed him the telegram", the Colonel continued, "And he went into ecstasies and rushed off into the house with the telegram in his hand to let his wife know the good news. That was the first news they had had of him since the official information was received that Captain Dwyer was missing.

"On Thursday last Captain Dwyer was good enough to come and see us and tell us what he knew. He was captured by the Germans, who put him to attend the wounded in Hospital at Bavai. In the course of his Ministrations he met some of the British wounded, amongst them my son and some men of his regiment telling my boy of his intention to attempt to make his case he managed to get away, and gave him our address.

"As you have gathered, Captain Dwyer did escape, and on his arrival in London dispatched the telegram I have mentioned.

"My son", he told us, "was seriously wounded in the foot, a bullet entering at his instep and coming out at the back of his foot, having shattered the ankle.

"From talking to the men in Hospital the Captain told us he learnt that when in a hand to hand fight my son received the bullet wound in the foot. He was about to shoot a German with his revolver when the man bayonetted him in the hand, forcing him to drop the revolver. The man the clubbed his rifle and swung it at my son's head. He raised his arm to protect himself and half warded it off, but the force of the blow caught him about the right shoulder and felled him, he was taken by the Germans, and though I was anxious to go and see him, I could not, of course, manage it.

"Captain Dwyer told me the wounded were, as far as he saw, treated in the kindest manner by the Germans. Surely the strange story and the prominent part played by the little buff form in the relief of at least two households deserves a place in the present great conflict.

NATIONAL RELIEF FUND

Fourth list of subscriptions from Co. Kildare, per Lady Weldon - already acknowledged. £1,777 13s 7d; Captain O'Connor Henchy, Stone Brook, Ballymore-Eustace (2nd donation), £40; Captain F. Blacker, Kinneagh, Newbridge £25; Major Alexander, Newtown, Straffan, £10; Weldon C. Molony, Esq., 5 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin £10; Officials at Ulster Bank, Naas - P.A. Ma guire, Esq £5; W. Donaldson, Esq., £2; W.H. Knox, Esq., 5s; W.H. Clements, Esq., 5s; L.C. Sweeny, Esq., 5s - Total £7 15s. Tanolin Church subscriptions, per Rev. J. Stewart Long, The Rectory, Ballitore, £8; J. Smyth, Esq., Greenawn Goura, Naas, £5; R.J. Maunsell, Esq., Oakley Park, Celbridge, £5; John P. Gannon, Esq., Royal Hotel, Kildare Street, Dublin, £5; Carnalway Church subscription, per rev. Somerville Large, Carnalway Rectory, Kilcullen, £5; H. Hendrick - Alymer, Esq., Kerdiffstown, Sallins, £3 3s; The Misses Simpson, Boolright House, Kildare £1; Carbury Church Collection, additional subscription, Hamilton Palmer, Esq., £1 1s; Kilkea Church collection, per Rev. R. Kidd, £4 1s 7d - Total £1,907 14s 2d.

WAR NOTES

BACK FROM THE FRONT

26/9/1914

On Wednesday evening five Privates of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers arrived at Naas Depot from the front. It appears the men developed rheumatism as a result of a series of heavy wettings and were sent to rest camps at the military base, where they remained from some time, after which they were either invalided home or sent back to the front.

LORD KITCHENER'S ARMY

Mr. John Wright, Coolcarrigan, Robertstown, son of Sir Almworth Wright has joined Lord Kitchener's army and is in training in the Dublin Fusiliers. Mrs. Wilson, Mr. Wright's grandmother, has offered half-pay as an inducement to her employees to enlist and to keep their situations open. The offer has not been responded to.

Captain George Springfield, who was killed at Aisne, was the senior of his rank in the Queen's Bays, and would have had completed ten years as a captain on Sunday next. He obtained his commission from the ranks of Lumsden's horse for good work at the cape, and first of all he joined the 3rd Dragon Guards, but transferred to the Bays and became adjutant. Afterwards he returned to South Africa for service on the personal staff. He was a good sportsman and a fine rider and was well known as a capable horseman and a good squadron leader in Brigadier-Gen. Brigg's 1st Cavalry Brigade at Aldershot. Captain Springfield was a nephew of the late Archdeacon Torrens of Naas.

ATTILA THE KAISER'S MODEL

Those who imagine that the German Barbarities are the result of outbreaks of brutality on the part of the troops, and that they are not ordered by the highest authorities, would do well to remember that the Kaiser issued the following command to his troops on June 27th, 1900, an their departure for Pekin. "When you come into contact with the enemy, strike him down. Quarter is not to be given. Prisoners are not to be made. Just, as a thousand years ago, the Huns, under their King Attila, made themselves a name which still appears imposing in tradition, so may the German name become known in China in such a way that never again will a Chinaman dare to look at a German."

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE KAISER

The War Lord of the German Empire is a most remarkable man, whose energy is proverbial. He never rests, and professes the deepest horror of idleness. Some call him a genius, others insist that he is merely a paranoiac. Certain it is that he is very vain, and always to be first in everything he does. He rises at five in the summer and six in the winter. Two or three nobles wait on him, and with their assistance it takes about 15 minutes to get dressed. The only English institution he tolerates is his morning tub. One hour after rising he sits down to his breakfast, which used to be a very substantial meal, but of late has been cut down by his physician's orders to a cup of coffee, with a couple of eggs and some bread and butter.

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