Two Canadians' Experiences

Back from the Grave

A striking reunion took place in the hospital on the day after the arrival of the exchanged prisoners sent home from Germany. It was one of those dramatic episodes which in fiction would seem to stretch the long arm of coincidence unduly far, but which the war has made not uncommon. The occurrence is described at first hand in the following paragraph, which all who have met him here will recognise as characteristic of its writer:

Always together through Canada, England, France, Belgium, and only separated on the night of April 22nd (when we went into action); both wounded in practically the same spot; he managed to get away, and landed safely in England; I was taken a prisoner and confined in the Prison Camp at Ohrdruf, Germany, for four months; each thinking the other dead, then meeting in the corridor here.
This is the rather unique experience of Sergt. J. O'Reilly and myself. My pleasure at meeting my old pal again is beyond expression. And although he has a badly shattered right hand and I have lost my left arm, when we both look back and think of that Hades of shell fire and bloody Ypres, we can express our feelings in the following seven words:
"Gee, but it's good to be alive."

Sergt. Fred F. Wells, 1st B.C. Regiment