Gas Attacks
Heroes Remember
Interviewer: My understanding is that you were gassed during the
First World War. What do you remember about the gas attack?
Could you describe it to me? Well I remember we were ready to
go over the top and this gas, that was the first attack of gas
and they told us to wet our handkerchiefs and hold it over our
mouths. We didn't have no masks or anything then see, so that's
what we did and that's what saved some of us, and a lot of them
died through it. Interviewer: So during that gas attack,
there were men that died from the effect of the gas? Yes
after, shortly after, short of breath, there was no cure that
they had, you know. Interviewer: You were gassed as well.
Yes, I had a touch of gas, a touch of gas, but you had to get
your handkerchief, the word went through to wet your
handkerchief, you understand what I mean? And hold it over your
mouth and nose. Interviewer: Was the handkerchief,
did you make it wet with urine? Yes.
Interviewer: And the idea was that it would go over your mouth
and that would neutralized the chlorine in the gas? Yes
Interviewer: What affect did that gas attack have on you in later
life? Well I never got rid of it, I never got rid of it.
Many died over it you know, and somehow or another I was too
tough, too tough to die, you know.
Interviewer: But this is the reason why you went into the woods?
Drove me into the woods; I had more relief in the woods than any
other job; railroad and steamboat, and anything. Interviewer:
Eighty years have passed since the war ended, Mr. Routhier.
Are you still affected by the gas that you took that day?
Yes, I take treatments.
Interviewer: And your wound that you took in your shoulder,
did that affect you in later life as well?
No, I wouldn't say, I wouldn't say that.
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