HERO OF KUT

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1928, Page 5

HERO OF KUT

REASON OF NON-PROMOTION

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

(Received this day at 9.20. n.m.) LONDON, November 1. Why Townshend. the hero of Kut, was never promoted above the rank of Maor-General is contained in the biography written by Errol Sherson, pithily Heinemann, which suggests his career ended because an indiscreet letter came into possession of the War Office. The story goes that Colonel Fitzgerald, military secretary to Lord Kitchener, told a journalist that Townslictid in a letter offered his services to Austria. The General interviewed Churchill who said he thought the letter indiscreet but there was nothing in it to prevent promotion. The Selection Board,' however, had been unanimous in not promoting him. “I am looking ifor a command for you now,” added Air Churchill, hut nothing happened. The honours list for Kut duly appeared, but 'J ownsbend’s name did not appear. It appears that Townshend, learning of the assassination of Serajevo, wrote to an Austrian friend who was a. military attache in Paris in 1906 when Townshend was a British attache.

Sherson continues: “Besides an ex-

pression of detestation of orders, jrtiownshend bewailed his own lot and spoke of .e bad government of England which he ought not to have done. He did, indeed, say he wished lie could got a transfer into the Austrian service, so as to get to the front, where he might be less unjustly treated. Tins was very different ifrom applying foi a commission in the Austrian army, as he was accused of doing. Mr Churchill said any clear-headed man reading the letter could see Townshend was not a traitor, even if his whole career had not proved his loyalty.