A SOLDIER PROFESSOR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 282, 17 August 1918, Page 8

A SOLDIER PROFESSOR

SIR AUCKLAND GEDDKS'S CAREER. An Ilford resident who was liable for service wrote .1 letter (0 Sir Auckland Geddes complaining: that Hid Minister was a younger man than he, and "was allowed to "remain in your London office, taking .£lO a day of your country's money." This has been the means of eliciting the fact that Sir Auckland Geddes has done much work for his country as a soldier, and is unfit for further service owing to injuries received by him in France. The Minister for. National Service has (says the "Globe") served in every rank of the Army, from private to brigadiergeneral, and even in his college days at Edinburgh University took a keen and active interest in military matters. Ho joined the volunteers, became a noncommissioned officer, and did much to promote (he efficiency of the company to which ho was attached. On the outbreak of the South African war lie offered his services, and after experiencing some difficulty in getting accepted on account of his sight, lie obtained a commission as lieutenant in the Highland Light Infantry. He came safely through the campaign, and holds as a souvenir the Queen's Medal with four clasps. Soon after the close of the South African War Sir Auckland Geddes gained a captaincy in the Queen's Rifle Volunteer Brigade B. Scots (Lothian Regiment). While at Edinburgh, Sir Auckland Geddes look his degree as bachelor of surgery, and from l!! 03 till 1908, when he returned to take his M.I), degree, he was travelling and visiting various hospitals in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. At the lime of bis leaving the university he was Assistant Professor of Anatomy. He then w.-nl io : the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin as' Professor of Anatomy, and there also he displayed the same zeal in military 'matters by joining and greatly assisting the advancement of the university contingent. A. year before the outbreak of the present war i'.e accepted the Professorship of Anatomy at M'Clill Univorsily, at Montreal, but being one of the far-see-ing men who recognised that war w'lh Germany was inevitable, lie stipulated in the agreement that in Hie event of hostilities he should Ik liberated without notice, and his position kept open until ho could return on the conclusion of peace. At this university he also did yeoman service for the contingent, being impressed by the necessity for supplying morn trained officers. At the outbreak of hostilities he immediately returned to England, and was appointed major in the 17th Northumberland Fusiliers, After going to France and here he received a staff appointment, Sir Auckland Geddes became known to Sir Neville Macready, the present Adjut-ant-General, who selected Major Geddes lo icoigauisc the recruiting arrangements. Major Geddes was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and look up his new duties as Director of Recruiting at (he War Office, being afterwards made a 1 brigadier-general. Sir Auckland Geddes 1 hold this post until his appointment as Minister of National Service in HII7. It was while on active service in France thai Sir Auckland Geddes was thrown from his horse, his injuries iucapacitalin.-; him from further militaiy ' duties in the. field. ]