gone down to the trenches to inspect some work which was being done by his platoon, and was on the point of returning when an enemy shell burst and a shrapnel bullet went through his heart.  This sad event recalled to us his words at the gathering on Christmas night.  His prediction that one would be missing ere the year ended was fulfilled, and he was the one called hence.  Arrangements for the evening function were cancelled, and the next day his remains were interred in the military cemetery, and the grave is now marked by a beautiful cross made by a member of his platoon and inscribed by his O.C.  He was a fine fellow, full of fun and life, a true comrade, an ideal officer, beloved by all who knew him.

The following pathetic incident speaks of the attachment which springs up between officers and men, and incidentally testifies to the high esteem in which our late comrade was held by one who had exceptional opportunities for knowing him.  Duty took me to the cemetery a few days after the burial, and I noticed standing at the graveside with uncovered and bowed head a soldier of the battalion.  I could see that the lad was deeply affected, and inquired as to whether he had known Lieut.  G——.  ‘Yes sir,’ he replied; ’I was his orderly; and—­I miss him so much.’

Superstitions play a large part in the life of the average soldier, and frequently gain the ascendancy over common sense.  Though rather reticent about expressing his religious views, he is in many respects intensely religious.  He may admit being superstitious and even boast about it, or declare himself to be a fatalist.  Fatalism in the vocabulary of the soldier is just another name for Providence.

Few, if any, are afraid of death.  They seldom give it a thought.  The general belief is that if a man’s ‘time’ has come, nothing can possibly avert it.  Under this impression he goes into battle or takes up his position in the lines.  He consistently refuses, however, to be a party to anything which is considered at all likely to precipitate the end.  For instance, no amount of persuasion would induce him to be one of three to receive a light for his cigarette or pipe from the same match, and owing to the strange coincidences in connexion with the number thirteen, he is prepared to deny himself much.

[Illustration:  A silent tribute to the brave.]

While soldiers are ever ready to avail themselves of every possible comfort when in the trenches, they hesitate to make use of a field service stretcher.  They prefer to make their bed on the ground, under the impression that if they were to lie on stretchers in the trenches they would be carried out from the trenches on stretchers.  One of a draft of reinforcements was attached to a platoon which had been detailed to proceed to the lines.  On arrival, this man, despite many warnings from the others, took possession of a stretcher and used it as a bed.  About eleven o’clock the following morning, the same stretcher was used to carry him back to the R.A.P.  While working in the lines he was seriously wounded by a piece of shrapnel.  It is hardly necessary to state that this man was completely won over to the belief which only the previous evening he had laughed at.