25                    “THE O-PIP”
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QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT.

Since going into action our battery has suffered the following casualties :—

Sergeant A. C. Edgecumbe, seriously wounded.
Corporal Bruce Dixon, pneumonia.
Corporal H. C. Kinghorn, fractured pelvis.
Bombardier A. D. Marshall, shrapnel wounds.
Bombardier F. Dunham, shrapnel wounds.
Bombardier G. L. Petersen, shrapnel wounds.
Gunner C. J. Alcox, accidentally injured.
Driver F. C. Miller, seriously wounded.
Driver C. W. Bruce, poisoned foot.
Gunner E. A. Macdonald, shrapnel wounds.

We are extremely sorry to have to report these casualties, but we are now where such things cannot be avoided. Our hats are all in the ring and what our luck will be no one can tell. Some of our pals have been picked off early in the game, and we regret to see them struck off the strength, but they all have the satisfaction of having done a “bit” in the overthrowing of the common foe.

Sergt. Edgecumbe figured in our latest casualties. He sustained a number of severe wounds when a high explosive shell exploded alongside him. His horse was killed. “Trill” as he was known off parade was acting as sergeant-major of the battery at the time, and had just celebrated his 20th birthday a few days before being hit. He is from Fredericton and joined the battery as a gunner.

Corporal Dixon was taken away early in the game and is now in Blighty doing fine. Old “Bung” Kinghorn was buried when part of a dug-out fell in and seriously injured him. He is now on the way to the soldier’s home sweet home. It is a strange coincident that “Trill” Bruce and “Bung” were almost inseparable pals, and met their fate within a short time of one another. All three were natives of Fredericton.

The three Bombardiers were hit on the first night in, when Fritz was throwing around all the ammunition he possessed. Miller was also struck during the first bombardment. From all accounts the boys are enjoying hospital life, which seems to appeal to anyone after a spell in this country. Bombardier Marshall is from Victoria B.C., having left there with the 62nd Battery. Bombardier Dunham is a Fredericton boy, and Bombardier Petersen is from Calgary. Miller is from Marysville, N.B.

Gunner Macdonald was in the same strafe as Sergt. Edgecumbe. He was originally from Hopewell, N.B., but came overseas from Victoria, B.C., with the 11th C.M.R.’s.

Gunner Alcox, who is from Sydney Mines, N.B., was along with Corporal Kinghorn when the dug-out fell in. Driver Bruce is from Maryville.

We wish all our injured comrades a rattling good Christmas if they are still in hospital—in fact a bon time wherever they are—and trust they will have better luck on their next trip to the firing- line, providing the authorities see fit to send them.