YPRES BOOK OF VALOUR. The Ypres Times. 7 By means of a bribe of 50 francs he secured the use of a room and started the game of One Up with coins peculiar (as Bret Harte would say) in possessing two heads or two tails apiece. In two nights he made 700 francs. When his dupes discovered the method of his trickery and made for him, he covered them with his revolver and made good his escape with speed and the 700 francs. A few days later the commandant of a neighbouring area rang me up on the 'phone. I have a man sent to me as camp warden who has done five years. I want to put him in the dug outs next to you so that I can keep an eye on him." Two days later the warden had absconded only to be captured within the week. As he was being taken along the village street to the cage, an A.S.C. Corporal coming out of an estaminet was heard to say That's the blighter who is harbouring Australian deserters." £0 that was where Broncho Bill was taking refuge. I instantly rang up the M.P. and that night the dug-outs close to my headquarters were surrounded and our old friend and two other ruffians were bagged and taken to the M.P. camp on the Dickebush Road. I must confess I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard he was in safe custody. Next morning the three prisoners were led out to the ablution bench to wash with one solitary sentry to guard them. Bill must have been touched by such child-like confidence. Watching his opportunity he knocked the sentry down, picked up the rifle and, the alarm having been raised, covered his pursuers and threatened to let the light through anyone who interfered with him. Then, began a fine hue and cry. I was at breakfast at the time and for a moment thought that the Bosche had breken through. The three fugitives rushed past my office and rifles were cracking like a machine gun. One of the three was hit in the arm and the leg on the road to Poperinghe, and a second stuck in a muddy patch in a field and gave himself up, but Broncho Bill, who seemed to bear a charmed life, disappeared across country, and made good his escape. This was the last we saw of him, although I have a shrewd suspicion that a man who turned up at my office when I was out, without papers or identity disc, was none other than this military Dick Turpin. This time, as far as I know, he drew a blank and departed rather hurriedly leaving his cap behind. When I left France in 1918 he was still at large. As likely as not he had returned to the Army in another name and was using his undoubted pluck and -enterprise in the praiseworthy work of killing Germans. I should have liked a battalion of Broncho Bills, if only I could have kept them busily employed. Between times, one was more than enough. I have often wondered if it was Broncho Bill who stole my new riding breeches which were hanging out on the line to dry, outside my office, or who decamped with a staff officer's horse while he was delivering a message at a certain Brigade Headquarters at Dickebush. One never can tell. Material for the Ypres Book of Valour has now been received from the majority of the Regiments, and before completing the plan the Editors ask us to say that they are open to consider short accounts of really brilliant and outstanding deeds of valour that were performed in the Salient. These must be authenticated, as the strictest accuracy is an essential in compiling the book. If you were an eye witness, or can put the Editors in touch with an eye witness of such an achievement, please write immediately to the Hon. Secretary, Ypres Book of Valour, 9, Baker Street, London, W.i. c

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1926 | | pagina 9