HISTORIC ALLUSION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 160, 6 June 1940, Page 7

HISTORIC ALLUSION.

. IRONSIDES OF HISTORY. * LINK WITH CROMWELL. \ The christening"'of the mobile bands of troops now being formed by General Ironside - for the defence of Britain “Ironsides’,’ is a happy inspiration, for the 'name"pays a tribute to their founder'-in this age, while it also recalls the doughty trpops of Cromwell, 300 years ago, these men having estaP lislied' a record for steadfastness which has lived through the centuries'. Picked and trained by Cromwell himself in an iron discipline, these men were a body with a spirit which would carry them “as far as gentlemen would go; such

men as have the fear of God before them.” The name “ironside” has been common through centuries of English history as a nickname applied for attributes of great bravery, strength, nr endurance, this 'being applied more particularly to a soldier. In the history of England, Ironside or Ironsides appears first as the, name given King Edmund 11. Prince Rupert gave it to Cromwell after the Battle of Marston Moor, in 1644. From Cromwell himself the name was applied to the men of his cavalry. When the Civil War opened Cromwell played a more or less minor part, but at the Battle of Edgehill, two months later, Cromwell stood firm in the Parliamentary Army while it was beaten. He appeared to have studied the principles or warfare and he saw, in the errors of Prince Rupert in that battle, a leSson which was to guide him in later operations. He Jelt after the battle for the eastern counties, where he commenced building a force of such troops as would stand firm, be under a firm discipline, and who could be absolutely relied on. At Grantham they showed their worth, beating a force twice their own number in a charge “at a pretty sound trot.” At Gainsborough, two months afterward, he secured an outstanding success, and at Wirtceby, where another victory was won, Cromwell’s horse was killed under him. INVINCIBLE SPIRIT. In 1644 Cromwell had 3000 horsemen and he led this cavalry force on the left of the battle at Marston Moor. Here Cromwell won, but lie then found that the right wing of his, own army had been defeated, and the centre broken. Cromwell assailed the Royalist Horse and then the infantry taking them in the rear. Three of the Parliamentary generals had by then left the field believing the battle lost, but Cromwell overthrew his opponents and, with the others who stayed on the field, won out. Prince Rupert was able to reassemble only 6000 out of 18,000 inen. Yqrk, which was the objective of the battle, had surrendered in a fortnight. From this battle, Prince Rupert called Cromwell’s men “Ironsides,” who could not be “broken or divided.” The reputation gained; at Marston Moor was upheld by Cromwell’s Horse at Nasebv, the name “Ironsides” being then cemented in the minds of the people as that of men who feared nought, followed a rigid discipline and, by these attributes, smashed their opr position.