Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1420691

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Australian Humour.

(By the Official Reporter with the A.I.F.)  

LONDON, June 27.—The Australians, who inscribed their names enduringly in the memories of the French people, have not been slow to also leave obvious traces of themselves about this French countryside. Here and there an old leaky boat was salved at the waterside of a dead village. It is attached now by an old head-rope to a peg alongside a diminutive tent shelter, much like an old Murray whaler's camp, made of old bags, house carpets, and a waterproof sheet or two. A notice written on a piece of board nailed to a tree beside it reads: "Jolly's Boat-house." Near by is a small landing, used apparently also as a bath- place. A tree alongside has three notices painted on it, one above the other, marking the tenure of different units—"Our Har- bour," "Henley-on-Yarra," and "What about our Torrens?'' The end of a house-wall at the waterside in another village which is daily shelled by the enemy has painted on it in large letters in tar, "Circular Quay." A much-battered village on the edge of the   northern front has in the doorway of a dilapidated house in the main street a stuffed effigy in corduroy trousers, buttoned boots, black coat, and a bowler hat, with a large cardboard placard attached, labelled "Billie Hughes." The French interpreter attached to an Australian unit asked," Where is the joke? Why do all the Diggers laugh?" An Australian officer replied, "That is the Prime Minister of Australia. He is hung there as a sign of affection." The Frenchman said. "Ah! you Australians pull the leg very well."    

A brilliant attack was made after mid-   night last night by a party of South Aus- tralian troops which rushed and almost an- nihilated a strong German outpost at the head of a gully, south of the Moriancourt Ridge. At a cost of three wounded the Aus- tralians killed 36 Huns and took back three prisoners and one machine-gun.

(Copyright reserved by the Crown.)

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