MONTGOMERY CREED

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 9, 6 October 1943, Page 8

MONTGOMERY CREED

“My son lives u>p to his creed,” was the tribute paid to General Sir Bernard Montgomery, commander of the victorious Eighth Army, by his mother. Lady Montgomery. In a. recent interview-at her home in Movile, County Donegal. Eire. 78-year-obl Lady Montgomery revealed bow the ereerl was given by Bernard's father, when he was Bishop of Tasmania. “The bishop called iiis five sous into the eliapel and said. ‘Gentlemen, whatever profession you choose, always put God first in your lives, and strive to servo your Empire. You come of a family of gentlemen. This.doesn’t signify mere outward refinement. 11 speaks of a noble mind to which anything mean, dishonourable. and impure is abhorrent and unworthy.’ “This is the Montgomery creed, and all -five boys lived up to it.” said Lady Montgomery. Sh'e told how. with her young son Bernard, she stood in a Hobart street watching troops inarching to embark for the Boer War. “Bernard turned to me. liis eyes glistening, ami said, ‘l’m going to lie a soldier when I grow up, and if I’m a good soldier, perhaps I’ll have my own army.’ “To my comment that soldiering was a hard life. Bernard replied, ‘Of course,, but I’ll make myself lit to do everything a soldier has to do. and then my men will sav I’m one of them !’ “My son never forgot that. He is as hard on himself as he is on others.”