LETTERS FROM THE FRONT

Evening Star, Issue 23696, 2 October 1940, Page 11

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT

DISADVANTAGE OF A BEARD LONDONERS' SPIRIT A Dunedin naval officer and old M'Glashan College boy has learned "the disadvantage of having a'beard, grown in these days of war and uncertainty. Serving in a large unit of the Home Fleet which had the ill-luck to be mined but managed to make port, “ though on her nose more than her tail,” as it is put in his letter to his people, he was suddenly detailed to go to Norway, Taken over in one of the fast destroyers, he was landed in the midst of Norwegian doubting Thomasses. His foreign appearance, combined with a Highland accent, gave the impression of a “ fifth columnist,” if not a German—certainly one to be taken cautiously. The destroyer left him to his job, and, there being no Englishman within a hundred miles ho was faced with a difficulty, as the engineers refused to work the main engines, saying they were under repairs, indeed, broken down. The crew is reported to have deserted, but with some scouting arid gentle persuasion—not so gentle, possibly—a crew was induced to serve, and eventually the large Norwegian oil-tanker was brought to a northern port. _ A member of this officer’s family, residing in London, S.E., writes that she is now, like all others, ready for the invasion. Her letter urns written on August 5, a Bank Holiday, but no holiday was observed; all were working day and night. Her letter proceeds: “Wo are absolutely solid; no one will break us; but your chance will come, too. Those who survive will carry on to the last man. . . . The day is warm and sultry, and there are four million in training or under arms, and is one of_ them, looking very striking in his private’s uniform, browned by exposure. He is one of thousands whose mothers feel a glow like myself. At night, still clear, the skies, tiiough calm, are alive with objects, and there are no complaints—only defiance. We have the spirit, and that is more than all the methodical drummed-in discipline of the enemy. _ We have a fine man in Churchill ; he is our hope, and none but give him first place in the hearts of the peonle.” When the Dunedin naval officer referred to was mined he was on the bridge, keeping watch. That was lucky for him: his room was well and truly shattered.