The Aberdare Leader

Wounded Soldier's Ordeal. Mrs. E. T. Ettery, of 160 Cardiff *wad, Aberaman, has a brother in the toloUrS who has been wounded and now !les at the lloyal Infirmary, Bristol. He Corpl. George Peacock, of the 2nd «att. Grenadier Guards, and is a native °f Bristol. In a letter to his parents and sister he states:—" I arrived at the Alexandra Hospital at Canhan, near Portsmouth, after a rough voyage rom Vivieres, where I was shot on September 1st. 3!y battalion was act- ing as a rear guard in front of a wood when we sighted the Germans, who wo thought were not many. However, we soon had to retire into the wood owing to their superior numbers. They were about 100 to one of us. The enemy surrounded the wood and we were c.iMght like rats in a trap, but we fought liko true British soldiers. I was wounded in the leg and taken pris- onor with about eighty more men. We were on the roadside about five honrs before the German Ambulance took us away. Eventually we were placed in a church for the night, and were guard- ed by sentries. We had no food given us for a day and a half. Later we were placed in a house with four of our cap- tared English officers to look after us. Ultimately we got on the G.W.R. Steamer St. David, which was being used as a hospital ship." The bullet went through Corpl. Peacock's leg, shattering the veins. He was a pris- oner for 14 days, and escaped through the assistance of French reinforce- ments. He hopes to be out of Hospi- tal soon. Mrs. Ettery and Corpl. Pea- cock's cousin has been killed in action,

Letter to the Front. (To the Editor of The Aberdare Leader.") Dear Sir,—I notice that you publish j from time to time a good many letters j from the Front, and rightly so. We are all interested in what goes on in the great theatres of action in France and Belgium, and what our men are doing and how they are faring. How- ever, might 1 suggest that you also pub- lish a series of letters to the Front— letters from one pal left at home to j another in the Trenches. If you're game, enclosed please find a copy of my most recent epistle. To Thomasson Atkinson, Talcen Fib m, Heading Dai Sam, ( Soissons Entrenchments, France, Jan. 16, 1915. Dear Tom,—Yours of the 6th to hand safe. Glad to know'that you are en-j joying your fresh experiences, and that your superior officers are not putting j too much on you. I note that you only work three turns a week out of 7, and that. there are plenty of relays of men out there. That's good. Nothing like plenty of recreation, and as long as you are on tho Continent you may as well see as much as you can of the country, You and I stand a very poor chance of ever being able to spend a holiday there. Portheawl and Llanstephan were all that we coilid negotiate when times were normal, and I hm afraid I shan't manage either of these next summer. Grub has gone up terribly here, and it is still climbing. Bread has gone up a Id. on a Gd. loaf, and there is a talk of another d. rise, Butter is Is. 6d. a lb. My landlady has advanced th" price of my hoard Is. a week, and is threatening another rise. Well, as I was saying, keep your eyes open while you are out there.' I am expecting a big revolution in the habits of our people when our soldiers return home from the war. Your re- marks on the beautiful French girls were very interesting. Our girls here are not half so attractive as they used to be. They have taken worse than ever to wearing spats, or gaiters, or female leggings, or whatever you like to call them, and they look horrid. On the other end you have the pneumonia blouse, which allows you a good land- view oi the neck and throat. It would be an excellent thing if the neck and feet struck a compromise whereby i the leggings might be done away with I I and a littlc extra covering arranged round tho neck. I wouldn't be seen with a lady wearing gaiters for the salary of Robert Blatehford. To dis- J card boots and wear low shoes with leggings soenis to be the height and the depth of absurdity. I have no special news to give you concerning Aberdare. We have about 70 Belgians in the district, and we are making them self-supporting, except the diamond cutters, and there is som< talk of a new industry in diamonds at Llwydcoed, where as you know, all our diamond buyers, with few exceptions, are now living. The District Council are going in for tram extensions, and possibly before the war is over we shall have cars running all the way to Hirwain, if not t.o Penderyn. Write back soon.—With kiud regards, yours truly, JOHNSON. Abordare.

HE,NDAC TbequickOltand most cortaln 011 a Be mire it i* • "JTF" —imitation* worthIess-|j SBKS 1X>. Postage vo* J. 80RGJ\N J-OVZS a :0, 4, RHAlCDID HonE, LLA!<F.I.I.T. H

War Mems. BY MEMO. "Wait and prepare is General Joffre's motto. Mr. Asquith's famous dictum was good, but that of the French General is an improvement on it. Someone described one of the air- ships seen over Yarmouth as like a sausage." This leaves no doubt as to its nationality. I do not know whether War Office orthography is to be considered a standard one, but I observe that in its literature when the word "dependent" becomes a noun it is spelt "dependant." It the transition of a part of speech in- volves the changing of a vowel in one case why not in similar cases? If it is right to say, "He is a dependant," then it is also correct to say, He is an Independant." Their barbarities in Belgium and sub- sequently in England have earned for the Germans the unenviable name of "baby killers." In history the Kaiser will iigure in the same category as two other despots who were also mfant- slayers—Pharaoh and Herod. There is still cry for for the British Army, but i learn that the sup- ply of goats exceeds the demand. Lord Kitchener and the War Office want men and not billy goats to meet Billy Berlin Play the man and not play the goat is the game just now. Let Welsh goats and Welsh sheep be allowed to graze and gambol on the Welsh hills, but let the sons of Wales- go out to the front to fac* and fight the Teuton foe. The Hun is red in tooth and claw, and we must send men of the lion and tiger typo to tackle him on the fields of France. This mascot business is a hoary superstition which should be done away with in these days of stern realities. Our regiments could well' spare the mascots but not the. men. While the Him howls at the gate it is useless sending out kids and lambs to me-et him. Let us discard the mascot and go in for the musket.

War Jottings. BY "OPTIMIST." Air. Owen Williams, son of Mr. S. Williams, Surveyor, Pendarren Street, Aberdare. i* acting as Honorary Drill Instructor to the Town Guard at 'l're- herbert, where he is employed as assis- tant surveyor to the local Council. Owen was a playing member of the Aberdare Amateur R.F.C., and was noted for his brilliant turn of speed when figuring as a wing threequarter. Mr. Griff Eynon, the youngest eon of Mr. Eynou, blacksmith, Aberdare, is with the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry sta- tioned at Carmarthen. He enjoys the military atmosphere. [ understand that Private Walter Bramble, of Oak Street. Aberdare, who was with the 2nd Welsh Regiment since the commencement of the war, is still missing, and it is conjectured that he has been taken a prisoner by the Ger- mans. Bramble, it appears, was one of the Aberdare boys who were in the trench with pooi* Sam Davies, of the Mackworth Tnn, when he met his death. The others were Privates Willie Law and Archie Drew, who were wounded but have since recovered, and are at present home on furlough Private Edgar Butler, of Godreaman, who has been home on furlough, is in the pink of condition. He is with the Glamorgan Yeomanry stationed at Nor- folk, who are all rapidly qualifying for active service. Ted Burge is also there, and is as g'ay and cheerful as ever. Ivor J. Lee, the well-known local runner, has joined the Welsh Bantam 13attalion, known as the Welsh Gurkhas. He is now stationed at Portheawl. Ivor is a thick-set young fellow, and will make a hardy soldier.—Private Evan Morgan Jones, of Trevor Street, Aber- dare, is at the front. He has been out with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers since November. His sister is Mrs. Tavender of the same street. ._u Private Thomas H. Humphreys, son of Mr. Humphreys, of Ann Street, Gad- lys, has been home for a few days fur- lough. after having gone through some very trying experiences in the ranks of the 2nd Battalion South Wales Border- ers. who have been engaged in con- junction with the Japanese Troops in a series of conflicts with the Germans at Tsinjf-Tao in China. Private Humphreys has been two years in China, and also served for a similar period in Africa. He returned to rejoin his regiment at Coventry, and will be drafted to the zone of fighting in France on February 13th next. Humphreys tells me that they had an awfully rough time in China. The weather there was very bad indeed. There were. three other Aberdare boys in the same battalion-Privates Wynd- ham Jones, of Gadlys Street; Edgar Phillips, of Oxford Street, and Jack Hamer Thomas, of Tydraw Houses, Cwmbach Road. "We were obliged 'to wear a light khaki uniform, the same as is worn by the Indian Troops, and it was most uncomfortable in the ceaseless rain. The Japanese soldiers are line fighters, and we got on very well with them. There were some who understood some words of English. The Japs are fine marksmen. We were altogether about 800 Welshmen, and about 2,000 Japanese, and we had to face about 12,000 Germans, who were well fortified and well entrenched. Our battalion was under Col. Carson, who showed himself a thorough good sport to all of us. The battle lasted from the 19th of September until November 7th, when the enemy threw up the sponge. They had an awful list of casualties. We had 13 of our men killed and 60 wounded, and we, four Aberdare chaps, were very lucky indeed in escaping unhurt. On the last day of the battle there were four of our men sleeping in the same tent, when a shell burst right by the tent, and three were killed. How this man escaped was a miracle." "Two of our number were awarded the Victoria Cross, whilst two more obtained their D.S.O. medals. We were very well treated in China before the war broke out, but during the battle of Tsing-Tao the food we had was horrible. Our men could not get the proper stuff up owing to the enemy's constant fire, so we bad nothing else to eat but Jap- anese biscuits and bully beef. I am right glad to be back again in Sweet 'Berdar, and my butties will tell you the same." Private Humphreys was a playing member of the old Gadlys Stars As- sociation Football Club. He has two brothers in the Army, viz., Private Frank Humphreys, who was a member of the Abernant Football Club and the Aberdare Territorials A.F.C., and a younger brother, Private Evan Hum- phreys. All are with the South Wales Borderers. Private Matt Davies, the well-known local lOst. professional wrestler, is with the colours. He was previously a mem- ber of the Aberdare Territorials, and also one of the stalwarts of the local Physical Culture Club.-Private Willie Thomas, better known as "Willie the Cabby," is in France with the 6th Welsh. Private Jack Davies, the local champion weight lifter at 91 stone, and winner of 11 medals and two cups, is doing well with the A.S.C. I wonder whether he still keeps his weight at 9! stone? Anyhow he looks well. c There are several local young men with the 7th Welsh (Reserve) Cyclist Battalion, stationed N, t Cardiff. They will shortly leave for Scotland to join the Imperial Service Battalion. They are under Captaiu Hammond, of Car- diff. Young Francis, son of the late Mr. H. C. Francis, farrier, is among their number. Since the outbreak of the war the popularity of the miniature rifle has increased by leaps and bounds, and its practical utility has been demonstrated by several members of the local clubs who have joined the colours It i.,i a great pity that there are not more ranges, especially in the upper part of the Aberdaro Valley. Private Martin Jones, of Foundry- town, Aberdare, who was out with the 2nd Welsh at the Front, ha.s been home on sick, leave. He contracted rheumatic fever owing to exposure in the rain- sodden trenches, and was at one of the military hospitals. He has since re- covered, and looks quite fit and well. ^Cwnulareites continue to pour into Kitchener's ATmv. Tom J. Austin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Austin, of Bron- cynon Terrace, has joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who are stationed at Wrexham. Tommy was at one time a full back in the ranks of the Trecynon Windsors. He is an all-round sport.— Ben Williams, of Ann Street, Gadlys, has also joined the colours. He finds trench-digging hard work. Private Jeremiah Sullivan, of Bond Street, is pxpeeted home from camp. He will be going out to the Front shortly. A local recruit, who has been limping about with the aid of a stick, has been telling his friends that he was wounded by a. shot in the foot while at the front. This, I hear, is not true, but was kicked by a horse in camp. It is said that many a recruit, when I obtaining home leave, gets the loan of a friend's uniform, and then swagger I about town in "borrowed plumes.

———— i i ■■ ■» 1 VICTOR FREED, Mountain Aslt, I has PIANOS in stock i>y COLLABD & COLLARO, CHAPPELL. B«jnsmkai>, etc., etc., at 25% | below town prices. | ASK FOR CATALOGUE. I M ..„

Football. BY "ONLOOKER." Aberaman Albions entertained Cwm- aman to a friendly on Saturday last at the Garth Meadows. The referee was Mr. Butler. Abernant. The Albions lined out as follows: -Goal, Ike Wil- liams; backs, W. Morgan (captain) and Dai Evans; half-backs, J. Evans, Danny James, and Fred Morgan; for- wards, Ed. James, O. Mahane, D. Thomas, Allen, and G. Richards. At half-time there was no score. On the restart the game became more exciting. David Jones was polled up for attack- ing the man and not the ball. A goalless draw was the final result. Les Stephens played a great game for the Cwmaman- ites, who were lucky to come off with a draw.

_JIIII' THE BUDCET AND NEW TAXES Have worried many but Indigestion Biliousness, Headaches, or Live! troubles are much worse. Happilj these can be relieved or cured by » prompt dose of KERNICK'S VEGETABLE PILLS at a very small cost. Thousands take no bther Medicine. Sold in 71d., 13id., and 2/9 boxes by all Chemisti, etc. I OVERCOATS! OVER CO A TS U w !L8 B U I U t L! UUnt! U JT. ,r MARKET STREET, ABERDARE. liv*R& 0 Rare Bargains to Clear. IN THE FRONT. a w '<? w t w tittxM 9 !)! N a ,sm — REYNOLDS' JQ A EXTRAS ACKEj IN BEiT QU iTY 0TT0N BAGS-ALL SIZES. Sold by Ttakers and Grocers in Aberdare, Merthpr, Votolai5 aad district. mST in COLOUR. FUV0UR & QUALITY. Ask for Reynolds' GLO'STER EXTRAS, and n, a the;, Brand. J. REYNOLDS & Co- Lt1., Flow Mills, GLOUCESTER. f S. A.TINNEY | COAL MERCHANT, &c., | Taff Vale Wharf, berdare, BEGS TO OFFER TO HIS NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS j i 1*1^^ Ufic.fu- t> Save .4 A w w Ui ^Coal Co sumptlor* I V j TELEPHONE, 32 ABERDARE. PL- R LOAD. A Quantity of Good Railway Sleepers for Disposal j Thomas Davies 47 KiNGCROFT STREET, MOUNTAIN ASH. HOUSE DECORATOR Woorla, Marble, &0. correctly imitated. Colours on Waliwork executed I ORDRRS PROMPTLY HXECUTET. I MISCELLANEOUS. AHIUTiC IAL LlMBs, (JrutdtoB, Eye*, Deformity Boots, fiafc- ?oot support- SteeHt»s« fc&iifit" VlUifiea, etc.; lad, btrenciant, Beits, belt Corsets, Elastic Stockings, trauu, etc. Daily, IUB, 1. io-1; Sat. 10-8. List free. Tel. 1282.—Alien Pearc*. 28 Chari. Street. Cardiff Ladles, Rssd Thla. ADVICE KKKF. t" Stance. M, Stewart's famous Female KemedT levef Adareto 'Vtmba-rt, neloi. LADIES BLANCHARD'S PILLS are unrivalled for all Irregularities, &c they *pe>»<iily afford relief and never nul to alleviate all su&trmg. They supersedePennyroyal P,ICocbia, H.net Appiol..t. 'Blanch* f'» are iheb*«taf ail P n* for Sold in hnres, Ifii by BOOTS Branches, ar.4 all Chemists, or post fre.e, sam? price, from LESLIE MARTYN, Ltd Chemists 34 DALSTON LANH LONOON* Free ^amplt anj 1oI'lihl. Boo). let o"d. x EVERY WOMA?^ Should send two stamps for our 32 page Illustrate* Book, containing Valuable Information how tt IrregularitiHS and Obstructions may be entirely avoided or removed by simple means. Recce* mended by eminent Physicians, w the ori-, Bafe. Surf aud Genuine Remedy. Never FmJk ^houiYiU of Testimonials. Established IHt MR. PAUL BLANCHARD, CHar^rnont House. Daiston Lane, LondSA. iMK C" "*48 ttaggf derangements oi tut Urinary § Oreane Superior to Copaiba, j Cubebs and Inactions. Ne > nauseating erfectfc A-itb cbeaO £ ■ i^Tlam V Capsules. Of all Chemist*, as E 11/111 MJ »ost tree toi from- I WILCOX A CO. u^pt 87 ,'f «o t-Uvatarket coodoo, W. | s Ti I Furniture for the Million II IMMENSE SELECTION! NEWEST DESIGNS 2 I IMMENSE SELECTION! NEWEST DESIGNS 2 I ROCK BOTTOMPRICES COMPLETE FURNISHING I FREE DELIVERY 200 MILES!! CATALOGUES GRATIS I PIANOS AND ORGANS HALF-PRICE! Rea ly reliable Pianofortes of full compass, excellent touch and tonp, and in hanpsomely figured Walnut Cases, foom 15 guineas each! Worth double Organs at most astonishing prices and from 7/6 monthly. Pianofortes from 12 10 50 guineas and from 10/6 monthly. Bevan & Company, Ltd. WALE.S LARGEST FURNISHERS. AND PIANOFORTE MERCHANTS, 51 Queeq St & St. Mary St., CARDIFF. SWANSEA, &c, &c. Engage this beautiful Car FOR YOUR Wedding AT THE VERY LOW CHARGE OF j61 1 at Aberdare, Mountain A'h Penrhiwceiber or Abercynon Al IO/- at Merthyr or Glynneath. fljilsL ;F 96 lir 0 Gougfai'8 Garage Co. PRIVATE AND CHARABANC CAR PROPRIETORS, Telephone No. 29. BJ^I I AIT AIM ACLI Telegrams 1 "Gough, Mountain Ash." IflUUn I AIH ^t^pl Is

An Urgtn i Appeal. Councillor William Thomas, the chairman of the Prince of Wales Fund at Aberdare, has issued circulars appeal- llg for subscriptions to the local Auxil- lary Fund which has been formed to supplement the separation allowance made to the dependents cf the soldiers and sailors who have been called from their work to serve their King and; Country, and whose dependents do not receive any grant from the former eni- Ployers of such soldiers and Failors. fortunately the following subscriptions have been received, and so, at least for the time being, the dependents have been Well cared for. The amount is, however, heing distributed at the rate of JE40 per 'eek, and the fund is in urgent need of further monetary assistance. It is with confidence that this appeal Ii:) made to the townspeople of Aberdare, knowing that. as our soldier., and sailors are prepared to sacrifice their lives, it is our duty to see that those who are left behind shall not suffer or be in want. Subscriptions should be sent to Mr. I). Llewellyn Griffiths, hon. secretary, Ttfwn Hall, Aberdare.

A Patriotic Family. Mr. and Mrs. Webb, 2 Graig Street, Aberdare, have ten nephews serving 1n the British Army and Navy. They re George, William, nnd Harry Webb, from Oxford, brothers to Irs. Arthur Morgan, Highland Place, Aberdf.ro. Arthur, Percy and Willie Moulder, three brothers. Arthur and Willio are rith the Army :n Belgium, while Percy 1s on hoard the "Minerva," a battle- ship which has been in action in the ^orth Sea. The other nephews are: ^.Vdney Webb, who is on the battleship 'Glory" Harry Conrdle and Fred Steward, who are with the Yeomanry, the former in London and the latter in Wolverhampton; and William Pur- r, who is in Kitchener's Army. They are cousins to Mr R. n. Blunn, man- ager of the South Wales Daily News depot in Neath, and formerly of Aber- dare. Mr. Webb has also two brothers with the colours, viz., Fred and Wm. j ebb.

ffOW THEN, YOU. Look here, my lad if you're old enough to walk out with my daughter, you are old enough to fight for her and your Country. At any Post Office you can obtain the address of the nearest Recruiting Office.

LIST OF SUBSCRIPTIONS.' j The Ex-High Constable's (Bal- I ance late Lord Merthyr's Presentation) 38 17 10 Ex-High Constable's (Bal- ance Charitable Fund} 35 11 3 Ex-High Constable's (Balance Canteen and Distress Fund) 10 10 0 F W. Marnier. J.P. 10 10 0 nr. William Thomas (Chair- man) 5 5 0 man) 5 5 0 Messrs. Hodges and Son 5 5 0 I Mr. Frank HodTes, J.P. 5 5 0 Mr. William Thomas, J.P., „ Oakhill 5 5 0 Mr. J. E. F. Hodges, Llwyd- coed 3 8 0 British Women's Temperance Association 2 2 3 Miss Davies, Ynyslwyd 110 Miss J. Davies. Ynyslwyd 110 Employees Tower Colliery, Hirwain (monthly) 25 1 2 ktaff Aberdare Urban District Council (alternate months) 8 1(5 9 Employees Council, Tram- ways and Electricity De- partments (weekly) 0 11 6 Employees Council, Surveyor's Department (weekly) 0 16 11 Employees G.W.R. and T.V.R. (monthly) 7 0 7i