Quartermaster-Sergt. T. F. James, of the Welsh Regiment, has written an interesting letter in reply to one he had received from Mr. John Lewis, J. P., Ammanford, while waiting in France to embark for the Balkans. He says : —
“We left the fighting line in France some time ago, and after a few days and nights in the train (goods van) we arrived at a large French seaport in the Mediterranean.
The good ship that brought us here was a fast ocean-going liner. The sergeants of our battalion were berthed in first class cabins. The voyage in the Mediterranean was simply delightful. On more than one occasion we were chased by a submarine, but thanks to the speed of the vessel and the seamanship of the captain we got clean away.
Never in my life did I feel more proud to be a Britisher than the morning we arrived at a port here, the name of which I cannot disclose. The presence of our battleships, with the Union Jack floating in the breeze, gave us all a feeling of confidence.
Our Allies out here are making a great stand. I believe the assistance given by our country arrived when they were in the height of their trouble. The country here is wild and mountainous; the mountains towering into the heavens are wrapped in snow.
We are at present in camp on a mountain side, having been for a time sleeping out in the open, which, I assure you, is very cold. The pursuits of the people are mainly connected with agriculture, which is very poor; ploughing is done by oxen, and the carrying of goods is done by donkeys and mountain ponies.
This country seems to be a thousand years behind the times. Naturally our love for and appreciation of the homeland was always great, but since we have left, this appreciation and love have gone up beyond bounds, and to use a soldier’s words, ‘England is England still, and worth fighting for.’
“It is Sunday to-day. We have had an open-air service, in which three other Welsh Regiments joined in. As one would expect, the singing was good, the hymns being heartily sung. I follow with considerable interest the news of home in the local paper. Ammanford has done well. I sincerely hope that Lord Derby’s Scheme will be brought to a successful issue.
There are a number of Ammanford boys in the various Welsh Regiments out here. I used to meet these boys very often in France while going to the trenches; they have given e a call since we are out here, and we often have chats about old times. There are several Ammanford boys in my company. Naturally, I am their friend at all times, and I do all I possibly can for them.
There are several assistant schoolmasters in the battalion, two of whom are sergeants in my company. Little did I think when we used to get lessons in geography in the old class-room that such countries we would visit in an Army fighting for right and liberty. Doubtless, if a roll was made of the boys of the Ammanford schools who are with the Colours, a creditable list could be compiled.”
