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Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 503, 6 February 1920, Page 2

Speaking at a reception in Perth (W.A.) General Sir William Birdwood expressed his amazement at the Australian soldiers' wonderful command of language (says the Sydney Sun). He had one exceptional opportunity, he said, of learning for himself something of the diggers' capacity in that regard. It was on a cold day in winter, and it was his custom tj» keep himself warm by running from battery to battery, or from battalion to battalion. He met a soldier, who ! said, "It is pretty cold, sir," to which he replied, "Yes, but way to get warm is to run. He atp oft' and the soldier ran alongside. After about a couple of hundred yards the man said, "When get the rum, sir?" "Rum!" I cfel not 1 ' say rum; 1 said run!" exclaimed the general. That settled the soldier, and at once identified him as an Aussie. The general heard a wonderful flow of language until he was '