Private B. D. Howells, of the 3 rd Welsh Regiment stationed at Cardiff, who will be remembered in Ammanford as the Chronicle football cartoonist, gives us in the course of the following interesting letter a striking account of the progress made by the once “raw” recruits – they have shed that term now – in their training towards becoming proficient soldiers :
“Thanks for copy of Chronicle and contents which you sent me. I enjoyed the articles very much, and was delighted to read Abbot Griffiths' delightfully original description of camp experiences.
It must seem awfully dull in Ammanford now that the footballers have joined the Army. That by the way. As you will notice, we are still stationed at Cardiff . It seems that we shall be stationed either here or at Barry until the first week in January, when we are expected to be attached to the Regular 3 rd Battalion Welsh Regiment.
The 1 st and 2 nd Battalions are in the fighting line already, as also is part of the 3 rd Battalion. From all accounts, we recruits are progressing very rapidly, with regard to picking up knowledge of everything attached to camp life, and our officers inform us that we give a deal less trouble than even the Reservists.
“Time for training being very scant, the authorities are endeavouring to teach us in the short time of three months what a soldier in time of peace would be taught in as many years.
“Rifle drill having been thoroughly drummed into us, we have had musketry practice, manoeuvres, sham night attacks, outpost and sentry duties, etc, etc.
“I have been one of a guard at the Docks this week, which duty as you can imagine, is not “all honey.” One is not allowed to speak to any person when on guard.
“To-days programme included trenching. This is reckoned as being the hardest job of all, and I am inclined to think so too. The requirements were : Each man to cut out and dig a trench measuring 5 feet long, 4 ½ feet deep, and 3 feet wide.
Time allowed, 2 hours. Anyhow, we all did our little share in commendable fashion, but were rather sore at the close. Tea and real good wash did much to revive our spirits.
“We had a surprise mobilisation last Tuesday week, when the Welsh Regiment, Welsh Horse, Artillery and Cyclists were paraded at Dinas Powis.”
