ENJOYING LIFE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20083, 1 November 1939, Page 12

ENJOYING LIFE

MEN AT HOPUHOPU LEAVENING OF VETERANS JESTS REGARDING AGES REGULARS INCLUDED The old adage “once bitten twice shy" has been definitely reversed by the ex-soldiers who have enlisted in the special military ■ force now in training for service in New Zealand or abroad. Their enthusiasm would indicate that as far as soldiering is concerned the expression becomes “once bitten twice as keen.” On tiie day the troops left Auckland for Hopuhopu it was obvious that some of the men had survived more than 35 summers and winters. Cautious inquiry soon elicited the information from a few that they had seen service in the Great War. While it is ‘not possible to estimate the exact number of ex-soldiers training with the special force at Hopuhopu there is a sprinkling of them. Troops' Badinage “Let me know when vou celebrate your twenty-first birthday, soldier." one obvious veteran was asked by a venturesome recruit. “7 think you are a bit late.” was the smiling reply. j“What seh oof. were you attending during the last war?” ventured the inquirer. ~ • "A pretty tough one m France for lcnrly three years.” was the frank reply. Undoubtedly there are others in camp who eomd relate similar stories. Most of them appear to have served with regiments from the Old Country, The dry observations, of one who proudly wore kilts last time, on the "de luxe" uniform lie is now wearing would make interesting reading for any Cabinet Minister. Value of Veterans Tiie value of these Great War veterans in a force comprising men. many of whom have had little or tie previous military training, cannot be over-rated. As old soldiers they know all the short cuts and their experience is particularly valuable in assisting their comrades to look ifter ihemseives and their equipment. Another useful man among the recruits is the ex-regular soldier who has served in various parts of ike Empire. Three or four of them already detected are proving very useful. An obscure private attracted attention through the manner in which his equipment and bayonet scabbard were immaculately polished. lie had obviously been a soldier before and it was learned he spent years in the regular army. He was soon selected to join the ranks of non-commission-ed officers. Answer to Criticism Many of the recruits have been charged with rushing blindly into military service not knowing what 'hey were in for. Such a charge cannot be laid against these men of experience who have volunteered again and their presence in the forces proves the unfairness of the charge against others that they rushed in blindly.

The doubtful ace ru some of these ex-soldiers lias led to amusing incidents. A commanding officer obtaining particulars of recruits' ages crime to one who fought in France for three years during the Great Wa r.

“What year are you going to say veu were born in," asked the officer aointedly.

"The year 1903," was the prompt f not too accurate reply.

If is not so easy when the veteran is confronted by the professional confidence of the medical officer. One veteran told his medical officer he was 34 years old. He returned later the same day for more treatment. Question by Doctor “How long is it since you have had such an attack of this trouble,” asked the medical officer. "Ten years, sir," was the reply. “How old were you then?" asked ' he doctor hopefully. “Twenty-eight, sir," replied the veteran. “So that makes you four years older than you were this morning," beamed the medical officer. The force also includes some who have not yet qualified for !he key of the door of their home. They are not so easy to delect. There never was an army {hat did not contain keen youths who disdain waiting for their twentyfirst birthday.—Auckland Herald.