Horrible months at war.

Horrible months at war

We are all standing here leaning over from being so exhausted, coughing. Standing in the mud trying not to fall over.

Trying to march out of the front line and get back to safety for a rest, leaving the tragedy we have just faced behind us.

Our feet are so sore but keep on going. Limping because we can barely walk. By this time we are all Walking like where drunken men trying to stand up not even hearing the gun shells falling behind us.

The stench of the gas has us not wanting to breath screaming RUN!!!

Going into our bags to get our gas masks, most of us are successful and reach for them in time. All except one man who I can hear shouting out HELP, HELP,HELP!!!

The gas is thick know, greenish pea soup color. It’s gotten difficult to see anyone now through the very thick gas.

I will never forget seeing my comrade rush up to me coughing horribly, and feeling so helpless knowing that he is going to die.

Can you imagine what it feels like carrying a dying man in agonizing pain not knowing what is even going to happen you your your other team mates. Looking at him slowly fading away in my arms.

Can you imagine the dying man as the movement of the wagon pushes his blood up and turning his lungs into mucus.

If you saw what I have you wouldn't say ever again that it’s a glamorous thing to die for your country and fight for it because it’s not glamorous or exciting or a privilege, the things you see you will never forget what happened on those, horrible months at war.

This is my inquiry project on John Wilson

John Wilson

John first joined the New Zealand Army in 1940 to train as an officer but on finding the 2NZEF complete he volunteered to serve as an officer in the Indian Army.

Following Japan's invasion of Malaya in December 1941 his Indian unit formed part of the British force there that was defeated and subsequently surrendered at Singapore. 

Wounded with his leg in plaster and in hospital he narrowly avoided a massacre of hospital staff and patients by Japanese soldiers after Singapore was captured in 1942. Wilson became a prisoner of war and survived 3 1/2 years working on the Thailand/Burma rail link known as the "Death Railway. 

After the war Mr Wilson enjoyed a long and successful law career and was known for his presidency of the New Zealand Red Cross. John died on 1 October 2010 in Wellington, New Zealand when he was 96 and he was married to Judy Wilson.