CODFORD CAMP.
Private William Brown, late of Orepuki, who is on active service with the 13th Reinforcements, somewhere in France, sends to his mother, who is living in South Riverton, the following lines depicting camp life at Codford, England:
There’s an isolated, desolated spot I’d like to mention,
Where all you hear is “Stand at ease,” “Slope Arms,” “Quick March,” “Attention!”
It’s miles away from anywhere, by gad it is a rum un,
A chap lived there for fifty years and never saw a woman!
There are lots of little huts, all dotted here and there,
For those who have to live inside I’ve offered many a prayer.
Inside the huts there’s rats as big as any nanny goat —
Last night a soldier saw one trying on his overcoat.
It’s sludge up to the eyebrows, you get it in your ears,
But into it you’ve got to go without a sign of fear,
You struggle through a bath of slush — you fairly revel in it,
And as you stagger to your hut, the sergeant yells “Jump to it!”
With tunic, boots, and putties off, you quickly get the habit,
You gallop up and down the hills, just like a blooming rabbit,
“Heels backward bend,” “Arms upwards stretch,” “Heels raise,” then “'Ranks change places,”
And later on they make you put your knee cap where your face is.
Now, when the war is over, and we’ve captured Kaiser Billy,
To shoot, him would be merciful and absolutely silly;
Just send him down to Codford, there among the rats and clay,
And I’ll bet he won’t be long before he droops and fades away. -Western Star, 13/2/1917.
FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE
BROWN. — On October 1, 1917, killed while in action, somewhere in France, William James Laurie, dearly beloved youngest son of Rebekah (Riverton) and the late William Brown (of Orepuki); aged 24 years. “He nobly did his duty.” -Southland Times, 19/10/1917.
William Brown was killed at a relatively quiet time in the front line and so it is unusual that his remains have no known grave.
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