COMRADESHIP IN WAR

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1930, Page 6

COMRADESHIP IN WAR

Apropos to the "disturbed atmosphere caused by the unjust representation of our fighting men by some novelists and writers,,,,,,l. think we should remind ourselves of those writers who have given the subject honourable treatment. There are numbers of them ; Donald Hankey, author of “The Student in Arms” series, was one. In liis articles most of which were written on the lxi.ttlefiold, the proof sheets of some being corrected in tlie. very trendies, we obtain a direct insight into the great welter as he saw it. Here is a passage from “An ’Experiment in Democracy” : On the whole, though, actual experience of war brings the best men to tlie fore, and the best qualities of tlie average man. Officers and men are welded into a closer comradeship hv dangers and ciiseoiffforts : shared. They learn to trust each other and to look for the essential qualities rather than, for the accidental graces. One learns to love men for their great hearts, their pluck, their indomitable spirits, their irrepressible humour, their readiness to shoulder a weaker brother’s burden in addition to their own. One sees men as God sees them, apart from externals such as manner and intonation. A night in a bombing party shows yop Jim Smith as a man of splendid courage Out there if anyone dared to remind you that Jim was only a fireman while you were a bank clerk you would give him one in the eve to go on with. y 0 u In-.ve learnt to know a man when von see one. e”d to value him.

Nowhere in this man’s writings do we find any reference to filth or beastliness. 31 he saw any ol these qualifications in the Army they* wore apparently not in sufficient evidence to be deemed worthy of being mentioned. He is critical at times of army methods, mostly in connection with class distinctions, which he considered life in the- Army served to dissipate: At the present moment I suppose that nearly all employers of labour who are of military age and bodily fitness are holding commissions in the Army. Similarly nearly all their employees who are. eligible are in the ranks'of the Arnrv. Vet in. their new roles of officer and private none of the old suspicion and dislike appears to survive. In the Army the relations between officers and men are, as a mle, .excellent. Is it too much to hope that when the war is over and both go hack to their former positions these good relations . may in many ca=cs survive? Then, again, from “The Making of a Man”:

His self-respect has increased enormously. IT is bearing has altered completely. It iis not the fear ol punishment that makes him ;o .mart and clean, lmt his care for ’he honour of his- regiment His perspective is altering” hourly. Old prejudices are vanishing and new ones forming. ITis old selfishness is giving way to . good comradeship, his individuality is being merged in a bigger corporate personality. As be becomes less of an individual be becomes quiter and more contented.