It was quite dark, and the men, on being awakened, found it hard to realise that it was morning and that it was necessary to leave their snug nests in the blankets and face the icy chill of the air.
They turned out promptly, however, hurried their clothes on with blue, clumsy fingers, and went on parade.
Soon they were busy taking down the tents which had been their homes for eight days, and after a few hours' work they were glad to settle down to breakfast.
The sun came out and ushered in one of the beautiful days that are quite common in Central Otago.
After breakfast they settled to work again, and by 10 o'clock everything was ready for departure.
The regiment paraded, formed in column of route, and swung along the dusty road to the station, the band in front playing gaily.
On the way out Mr Hughes, of the Y. M. C. A., was overtaken, and each company, as it passed, gave him three hearty cheers - a spontaneous tribute to the man whose efforts have done so much to brighten camp life.
The train left about midday, and arrived in Dunedin shortly after 2 o'clock, only one stop having been made at Hindon.
Both the entraining at Sutton and the detraining at Dunedin were carried out with excellent discipline and despatch.
On their arrival the regiment marched, headed by the band, to the Garrison Hall, where it was dismissed.
The men were all looking well and fit, and better for their week in the country.
On January 4, a lad named Lincoln Francis, about 17 years of age, left his home in New Plymouth without saying good-bye to his mother, or even indicating his intention to leave, and, except indirectly, his mother had not seen or heard of him until Tuesday (says the Taranaki Herald), when she received a letter from him dated from London.
It appears that when he left home he had 27s 6d in his pocket, with which he paid his fare to Wellington, where he obtained a berth on a steamer leaving for London, on which he worked his passage.
On arrival in London he enlisted in one of Kitchener's armies and signed on for three years.
He was a good lad, of exceptionally fine physique, and was a member of a cadet company at New Plymouth.
Knowing that his age barred him from volunteering for service abroad, also that his mother would not consent to his going Home to enlist, he went off without a word, showing the spirit which is essentially British and rather remarkable in so young a lad.
In Wellington, while he was waiting for his steamer to sail, he was met by Mr Clarence Davy, who questioned him: Where was he going? Home to enlist.
Had he any money?
Only threepence.
Had he had any dinner?
Oh, no, but he would be all right on the steamer.
Mr Davy gave him five shillings, and on arriving in New Plymouth let Mrs Francis know where her boy had gone.
Naturally she had worried a good deal about him, but when she learned what had happened her feeling was one of pride, which was accentuated on Tuesday when she got the boy's letter saying he had signed on for three years' service with the Empire's defenders.
It is of such stuff that heroes are made.
• Unofficial reports state that a decisive action has begun at the Dardanelles.
The allied squadrons bombed the straits at various points.
In the west of Gallipoli a landing has been effected at three points - Suvla, Enos, and Bulair. - ODT, 26.4.1915.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
