A PICTURESQUE CORPS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 26, 1 April 1915, Page 1 (Supplement)

A PICTURESQUE CORPS.

THE LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN ITS STORY AND ITS WORK.

Those who see a Frontiersman in full uniform for the first time are apt to turn up their noses with a muttered exclamation of "Swank"! True enough the blue tunic, khaki shirt, handkerchief round P?ck, riding breeches with puttees or leggings, revolver in holster, and Baden-pow.ell hat, may seem out of pl-.ice in the streets of a city, but it is just the thing foe the work required. This useful if somewhat flamboyant uniform has set many people against the Legion, but there is little doubt that it will live this down in time. It is not a corps of swaggerers and roysterers, as many suppose, for only men of good character are required, although, of course, "ad hat;" will be found in any regiment. The Degion of Frontiersmen owes its incepiion to the South African war. Colonel Driscoll, who raised a regiment of irregulars of Britons from all o>tr the Wld, and Mr. Roger Pocock, the author, thought it would be a pity it friendships formed during the war should be dissolved by peace, and, in thinking of an association which should keep old comrades in touch with one another, the Legion was 1 evolved. It is not easy to qualify for membership. A man must have served in one of the fighting forces of the Crown, have worked, hunted, or fought in unsettled or half-settled countries, or have seen service on the sea. No Briton is so eager to fight tor his country, if need be, as the pioneer, but hitherto he has been unorganised; now, thanks to the Legion of Frontiersmen, he can join a unit anywhere where the flac is faying, or in any foreign country" for that matter, although in such a case he cannot wear his uniform or do more than organise. , Thanks to the Legion Britain can torm a corps of irregular troops, scouts, or pionevs in any war in which she is engage'!. The Frontiersmen can serve as gutde or scout or interpreter in savage countries, or as an ordinary trooper of mounted infantry. _ There is no great desire to turnisn regiments of rough riders, but to provide at a moments notice anywhere small units which can be attached to regular troops to supplement their knowledge. However, should the need arr-e the Legion could call several thousands of men from all over the world to arms, for recruiting is steady and increasing. . Although entirely self-supporting, the Legion is recognised by the War Office and the Gcvernments of the Dominions and Crown Colonies. hen warbroke cut Colonel Driscoll offered 1,000 picked men for service in the field, but irregular corps are not required at present, so the otf.;r had to be declined, though large numbers have joined the new army. ~ T And in manv unknown ways the Legion l/,s been of service to the Government, being cahed in to do useful unpaid work and provide information that was required. Keenly anxious to prove it is ready to do anything that can be of assistance, it is providing a detachment of men to perform the humdrum but necessary duties of a remount Ca in P East Africa the Frontiersmen performed service in a native rising and are now regarded as extra police ready to give assistance if neeessary. Another service rendered by the Leo-ioa was the invention of a pack saddle by a memoer; this was tried during a march through Kent. Perhaps one may best describe the Front), i-smen as grown-up boy scouts' who Lave been used to carry out in cvery-day life the tasks which the youngsters do as p!ay. Lord Lonsdale is their Comroandant-GeneraLm-thiet, and thev are hoping that the war will give tnem a chance of proving their value as fighters in the held as an or-

ganised regiment.