| So far I have the diaries
of two soldiers from the 42nd Battalion AIF. By happy co-incidence they
are written by people who could not be more dissimilar. This gives us
two perspectives on the matter.
One, titled Hell
Babes, was written by (then Private later Sergeant) C F W Harris. He
was want you might call "a bit of a lad". He drank, was irreverent,
chased girls and fought the war. He worried not, at that stage of his
life, about the finer things. Survival, a few mates, a cold drink and a
warm woman was enough.
The other was written by a quiet,
deeply religious, gentle man, Pte Verdi Schwinghammer,
who appreciated the Arts and wanted to tour the great museums and Cathedrals.
It was he that paused during an advance to help wounded comrades, not I
feel as a way of avoiding the enemy but from a genuine concern.
Two different types of men. Two
different reports. Only 1 constant. They both did their duty to the best
of their ability.
These diaries are not for the casual
surfer, but for those with a serious interest they make good reading. |
