Sir William Robinson's Reminiscences.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1922, Page 4

Sir William Robinson's Reminiscences.

Although in the British Army the relations between officers and men are excellent, we do not think of it as a very democratic institution. Between the holders of commissions and the rank and file a social gulf exists; the former are, or were, drawn in the main from the well-to-da classes. Yet the career of Sir William Robertson, whose reminiscences are contained in “ From Private to Field-Marshal,” shows that even in the old unreformed army ability and industry could make their way, and that it was possible for the ranker who had neither money nor influence to climb to the top of the .ladder by merit alone. In 1877 Sir William, a lad,.of 17, enlisted in the 16th Lancers. Those were the days of long service; barrack life was rough in the extreme, and the soldier off duty had nowhere to go but the canteen. Sir William confesses that lie was tempted to desert, but fortunately for him a com rad* stole his civilian clothes, and ran away with them. So he stuck to his work, and his promotion in the non-commissioned ranks was rapid. Tn duo course he was advised to apply for a commission, but lack of means was an insuperable obstacle. Later he accepted one in India, where an officer could live more cheaply and where there were perquisites, such as adjutantships and proficiency grants. In India he toiled prodigiously, and his talent and application impressed his superiors. It is characteristic ol the man that when his brother officers did not trouble to learn native languages, thinking that the regiment was about to go to South Africa, he believed that all knowledge was useful and mastered several. He served in several little wars,” and eventually was transferred to the intelligence staff in London. Here lie had his first experiences of the ways of politicians. One of the duties of the section to which he belonged was to prepare plans for a campaign against a possible enemy ; clearly one set only could he undertaken at one tim'e ; and, as clearly, it was desirable that the possible enemy should be the most probable enemy, a point on which the Government might reasonably be expected to advise. Sir William submitted the names of three Gontineiuial nations to the Government, and invited an expression of opinion as to which should be tlie subject of (lie first net of plans He was curtly told to mind bis own business. Subsequently he served oil the staff in the South African war, was head of the staff college, Camberloy, and was director of Military Training. In common with practically all stuff officers who had been " in intelligence,” he was quite convinced that Germany would make a bid for world dominion —l9l > was the date they assigned lor it—and finds it difficult to forgive members of Mr Asquith’s Government, who denounced Lord llobcrts as an alarmist, and derided and reviled those who sought to warn the public of the danger. During the great war Sir William was by turns Quarter-master General, Chief of Staff in France, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, and Commandcr-in-Chief in Britain. He holds that people are content that the war was won and aiv not particularly interested in how it was-won, so lie avoids controversy. But lie defends himself against the charge that he resisted a united command. In “ .Makers of the Now World ” and similar publications he has been depicted as a plain blunt Briton, who opposed the idea through insularity and an inveterate prejudice against and suspicion of all “furriners.” Certainly ho objected to the unification of command under Nivelle in 1917, for the Champagne operations, but that was because it was sprung on him at the elevlenth hour, and because he felt that Neville’s plan was radically unsound—as indeed it proved. In 1918 ho pointed out that certain features of the proposal wore impracticable, but of the idea itself he approved. Sir William fell foul of Mr Lloyd George more than once, because lie would not endorse, by silence, schemes which he considered to be hair-brained and dangerous. 01 his fellow soldiers, British and French, lie speaks with the warmest admiration ; his references to Kitchener arc especially appreciative. He went to serve under Kitchener as C.1.G.5., with some trepidation ; lie had heard much of bis aloofness and reluctance to delegate authority. lie found him in all respects an ideal man to work with. "On Life whole,” lie declares, "1 would say that the achievements and foresight of Lord Kitchener place him in a class entirely by himself ;and they justify tlA> conclusion that no man in any of the Entente countries accomplished more, if as much, to bring about the final deteat ol the enemy.” Sir William writes wit limit much art, but his reminiscences arc interesting and their gravity is relieved by touches of a certain dry humour in which he indulges sparingly, but effectively.