Coming Back. A Souvenir. Incidents etc... since leaving Belgium. No. 19 & 25 Quotas, 4th Aust. Division, April, May, June 1919.
S.S. Port Napier: A.I.F., 1919. First printing. Pamphlet. Scarce shipboard printing with a forward by Major W. M. Fowler, Major, C.O. Troops. Under the heading of "Homeward Bound", "Sapper" writes about the Fourth Division assembled at the Australian Corps Reinforcement Camp at Charleroi, Belgium, in an old factory with extensive details of their trip. "During the journey we passed through Mons, Douai, Arras, Doullens, Vignacourt, and the outskirts of Amiens... at Vignacourt, where there is an Australian military cemetery, the train happened to stop, and a good number of the boys made a hurried search for graves of their friends...: However, not man of them could have been successful, as the stop was, unfortunately, very short. During the journey from Romes Camps to Le Havre the French railway employees along the line received a barrage of empties. The boys bombarded every one they passed, and the accuracy of their aim put the "wind up" a good number of the "Froggies." (Signed "Sapper,", H.M.A.T. Port Napier, May 27th, 1919.) There follow poems and short stories. Several poems are by R. Owens, 1st Fld Ambulance- A Dream of Money; Four Guineas; Two Bob. Others include "The Gallant Greasy" ("Digger")'; The Mess Orderly ("M.O."); The London Foot Police (X.L.C. Or."); Intimate Impertinences ("Caber Feidh."' Fortune (F.W. Davies). Amusements include a concert party, boxing, quoits, standing long jump & flag race, all with the soldiers named. At the back is blank last pages for "Autographs".
Sml. 8vo, 16.5 x 21 cm., 12pp, title printed on tan paper wraps. Period fold across the center and some lower corners lightly dog eared. Wrappers a little spotted. Some soldier has carried this in his pocket. Good + condition, considering where it's been.
Trove cites only one incomplete copy at the Gold Museum Ballarat (oai:ehive.com:objects/248382, 84.0746). Fine. Item #26685
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