BEARDS IN THE TRENCHES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2595, 18 October 1915, Page 3

BEARDS IN THE TRENCHES

If there is a winter campaign, as it seems certain there will be, shall our soldiers, officers as well «s men, bo allowed and encouraged to wear beards ? The question is raised in several letters from the front, tho writers, especially the most thoughtful and experienced officers, arguing forcibly that all who wish should be left free to allow their beards to grow. It is declared that observations made in the trenches last winter left it beyond doubt that soldiers suffered considerably as the result of leaving the throat .unprotected. "Of course," writes a smart young subaltern of the Expeditionary Force, ''it would bo something of a break from the traditions of ihe British Army if most of us were to wear the 'liirsuto appendage,' but appearance doesn't matter a jot compared with health and fitness." It may be added that evidence as to tho practice in other armies, in the shape of pictures from tho various frcnts, is to the effect that with our Russian Allies the wearing of a beard is almost general, and that many, if not most, of the German officers and men appear to go unshaven in tho winter.

At> l the . opening of tho Thorndon Bowling Club on Saturday several ladies did good business for the Wounded Soldiers' Fund by selling buttonholes.