GENERAL AND VETERANS

Otaki Mail, 2 November 1923, Page 4

GENERAL AND VETERANS

OLD BATTLES RECALLED. | •‘The medals of this war!” said ' Major General Wau.chope in astonishment when he was going: round the | old veterans at their (home in' Auck- . land last week. , ‘‘Yes sir,’,’ came the hearty tones , ol the old man who was as nearly ! bald as it is pOs.sihle to be. ! “How in the world did you ge|_ j awav,” said the general, “you must have had a battle with the doctors.” “Oh, yes,” said he cheery old man. , “He reduced liis age by It years, I and dved his hair,” explained someone “and at the ago of 64 joined the Royal Navy. He was wounded at Zeebriigge.” , , “Splendid,” said the general. ‘That is really fine. At that rale you may . succeed in being young enough to i join niv brigade in the next war.” ‘ “And that, I'd do gladly.” replied The Old Ilian, whose shining eyes belied the infirmities of age. It was a, delightful experience to see this neneral, who bears a name that has long been honoured in Highland , regiments, paying his homage to the old service men. He belongs to that fine school of Imperial officers who * have a paternal feeling for all sob 1 lets. and particularly for the men of ! their own regiments. They typify * those qualities which have, made the ! British services what they are. DiscinHiiavians ■- they are, but the discipline thev create is based upon the i o-rmind of mutual respect., .And where 1 is such feeling greater than in Gen--1 eral Wauchope’s own regiment the I Black Watch, the famous ‘Forty i Twa-” ] THE DAYS OF LONG AGO. An old soldier stood at . attention ! when the general shook him by the hand. . . “And what was your regiment >■ he

asked. • “The Forty Second,” came the reply in the broadest, of broad Scotch. "I'm delighted to meet you,” said the general, once all animation. “Ever hear of anybody with my name " , <lr j “That 1 do,” said the old man. I mind you we el when you were a lieutenant. That Was in the East In- ( dies.” At once the pair discussed old days, and the general seemed loath to leal’ liiniseU away. “Ali’m verra glad ye’ve done so week” said the veteran, as ho said good-bve. 1 “Oh! we all gel on in the Black. Watch.” laughed the visitor. I There was a, mall, of She Royal , Welsh Fusiliers who had Jought in Africa and in Burma, and one who had been with the Connaught Rangers in Zululancl. “A fine regiment.” said the general. ‘‘l had them in Germany.” . ~ “Yes, you can’t beat them, said the old) man proudly. A veteran of the 72nd who fought, in the Indian Mutiny .assured the general that he was “doing hearty, bui complained that he was becoming a trifle deaf. , , “How old are you.” he wa.s asked. '“Ninety-four,” said the veteran. “Splendid,” said the general- “ You’ll make the century-, I’ve no doubt.” \ soldier of the Durliams was delighted to hear that General Wauchope had had: the regiment, in his brigade in the Great War, -and that they had always done well. . An old battery sergeant-major, who served in India, and . whose, medals bore testimony to his capacity as a soldier, was warmly, congratulated and assured that he looked remark- | ably young- for his years.