I am indebted to the Rev. James Green for the privilege of writing an introduction to his book, in which he gives a lucid and interesting description of the life of our gallant soldiers of the A.I.F. In his capacity as one of our Chaplains to the Force, all of whom have done such noble work during the war, he has been able to enjoy a close personal touch with our men—more particularly perhaps at Gallipoli; the record of his sympathetic observation and experience will, I am sure, be heartily welcomed by all who are interested in the welfare of the A.I.F.
Previous publications have, I know, chronicled the incidents of our campaign in Egypt and on the Gallipoli Peninsula—deeds in which the greatest courage, determination, and self-sacrifice have been displayed by our men from the Southern Seas, many of whom, alas! have made the supreme sacrifice in the cause of Justice and Freedom. Chaplain Green's work will, however, be an interesting sequel in that he describes what one may call our second phase of operations on the Western Front.
Here, in France, our Australian troops have continued to show that magnificent bravery and spirit which has enabled them to undergo cheerfully the severest hardships, and even to enhance their fine reputation as soldiers, which now stands second to none in this huge Army. No words of mine can adequately express my admiration and affection for them. I am proud to think that for nearly three years now I have been privileged to serve with them, during which period they have made traditions which will live for all time in the history of Australia.
I wish all success to Chaplain Green in the publication of his book.
W. R. Birdwood.
France, May 13, 1917.
FOREWORD
For reasons known to the men of the Australian Imperial Force, I am always interested in meeting others who wear the green badge on their arm. A good soldier is always as proud of the colours he wears on his shoulder as the colours he wears on his breast. He knows that each brigade and battalion possesses a soul of its own, and he is proud to belong to his battalion and to worthily wear its colours. For these reasons I ask the privilege of dedicating this book to the officers and men of the First and the Fourteenth Brigades. Sister brigades they are, from the Mother State; with them I campaigned, and for them I have a proud affection.
Heroes of many a fight,--for those two Brigades will stand out specially in Australian History, the story of the Landing at Anzac, the Battle of the Lone Pine, Pozières, Fromelles, Bapaume, and Bullecourt. Some of the men drafted from the First to the Fourteenth shared in the perils of Gallipoli, and all are associated with the fighting on the Western Front.
For them all, I wish that they may fight on to the certain and glorious victory, and have the luck to return to Australia, the land of sunshine and opportunity—there to help in building up the Commonwealth in harmony with the principles of freedom for which they are fighting.