GENERAL AND VETERANS.

Shannon News, 24 October 1923, Page 3

GENERAL AND VETERANS.

OLD BATTLES; RECALLED

"The medals of this war!" said Major General Wapchppe in astonish- , ment when he. was goingi round the old veterans at their (home in Auckland last week. "Yes sir," came the hearty tones of the old man who was as nearly bald as it is possible to be. "How in the world did you get away," said the general, "you must have had a battle with the doctors." "Oh, yes," said he cheery old man. "He reduced his age by 14 years, and dyed his hair," explained someone "and at the age of 64 joined the Royal Navy. He was wounded at Zeebrugge." "Splendid," said the general. "That is really fine. At that rate you may succeed in being young enough to join my brigade in the next war." "And that I'd do gladly," replied the old man, whose shining eyes belied the infirmities of age. It was a delightful 'experience to see this peneral, 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" soldiers, and particularly for the men of their own regiments. They typify those qualities which have made the British services 1 What W are. Disciplinarians they are, but the discipline they create is based upon the ground of mutual respect. And wher e is such feeling greater than in General Wauchope's own regiment, the Black Watch, the. famous "Forty Twa?" THE DAYS OF LONG.AGO. An old soldier stood at attention when the general shook him, by 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, at once all animation. "Ever hear of anybody with my name " .'■,--■., <<t "That I do," said the old man. "I mind youi weel when you were a lieutenant. That was in the East Indies." At once the pair discussed old days, and the general seemed loath 'to tear himself away. "Ah'm verra glad ye'.ve done _ so weel," said the .veteran, as he said good-bye. ''»_«,, "Oh.! we all get on in' the Black Watch," laughed the visitor. There was a man of Hhe Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who had fought in Africa and in Burma,, and one who had been with the Connaught Rangers in Zululand. "A fine regiment,' said the general. "I 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," but. complained that he was becoming a trifle deaf. "How old are you," he Was asked. 7, Ninety-four," said 1 the veteran. "Splendid," said the general. "You'll make the century, I've no doubt."

A soldier of the Durhams was delighted to hear that General Wauchope had had the regiment in his brigade in the Great War, and that they had alwavs done well. An old battery sergeankmaior, who served in India, and whose medals bore testimony to his capacity as a soldier, wa s warmly congratulated and assured that he looked remarkably young for his years.