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"Trooper Bluegum."

Captain Oliver Hogue ("Trooper Bluegum"), commanding No—Coy, I. C. C, was born in April—not on the First—1880, so he is quite old enough to realise that war is a sticky business. Still, he has done his best to let certain blokes back in Australia think it is a glorified picnic; but they won't

"Trooper Bluegum."

come it, He was born of poor, but honest parents; despite this tremendous h handicap in the Biographical Stakes, he managed to get three meals per day, and a bed—before the war. Since then, he has chiefly got bully beef and biscuits, and night patrols.

"Bluegum" was dux of the Forest Lodge School in 1896, Captain of the school cricket team when it won the Schools' Competition, and managed to win first prize in the All Schools Cadet Rifle meeting, in 1915. As a youth, he revelled in sport, and was moderately successful as sprinter, cricketer, footballer, swimmer, oarsman cyclist, tennis and ping-pong player. He thought also, that he could use the gloves till he took on "Togo" Reynolds. When he managed to get a first class pass in English and History at a certain University examination, his relatives prophesied a brilliant career; thev now know better.

In August, 1914, "Bluegum" went to the Australian Military Authorities and placed his sword (imaginary) at their disposal. Nothing came of it. He called again, and said that he was prepared to command a Brigade, Regiment, or Troop. They were riot having any, so he enlisted as a troper. Be might have done worse. He was one of the original 6th Light Horse under "Fighting Char ie." There are not too mam of them left now; most of them are Generals or Colonels, or something. He spent five exciting month's on Gallipoli with the First Division—that's why his hair is growing grey. He was sent to the Imperial Camel Corps, and spent a year or two in Sinai; that accounts for his thirst. Then he went with the victori his army into Palestine, and over the Jordan.

After roaming for eight years all over Australia, and contributing stories and sketches to various journals, "Bluegum" became a journalist. He couldn't help it; it was in the family. So he endeavoured to give a touch of verisimilitude tothecolumns of "The Sydney Morning Herald."' He has published two books on th- war: "Love Letters of an Anzac," and 'Trooper Bluegum at the Dardanelles," both of which have run into the fourth edition. He has just finished a collection of verses entitled "The Homesick Anzic," to be published shortly in Australia, in aid of the Red Cross Funds. So far as he can remember, he is not married.

The rest of the familly is quite respectable. "Bluegum's" father, the Hon. J. A. Hogue, was for many years Chief Secretaty and Mini-ter for Education in New South Wales. "Bluegum" has two brothers in khaki, and one sister on the stage. Miss Tien Hogue, who has played lead in "Peg O'My Heart," "The Rosary," "The Man Who Stayed at Home," etc, and is oneof the prettiest and cleverest Australian actresses. Roland Hogue is a well-known figure on the Australian and American operatic stage. Miss Amy Hogue is the author of several beautiful Autralian fairy stories and bush tales. "Bluegum's" eldest brother, Clarence Hogue, is accountant of the Amelioration Fund for Returned Soldiers, and has already disbursed tens of thousands of pounds to the Anzacs.