THE PRINCE AND THE PRIVATE

Shannon News, 6 May 1927, Page 4

THE PRINCE AND THE PRIVATE

NEW AIRLINE SURVEYS. OFFICIER-S FOR THE DUNEDIN LONDON, February £L> “Well, the best of luck, old man, and I hope we will meet again," was the farewell of the Pririce of Wales to ex-Private Godley, the first V.C. man-. of the Great War, when the Prince visited’Hackney on Tuesday to see a party of ex-servic e men going out to Canada. The party, who number about 200, are all “Old Contemptibles,” men who fought at Mons and Le Chateau, and got back again from the Marne. ■ As th e Prince walked smartly down the ranks of the men, his eye caught the dark ribbon on Godley’s breast. He stopped. "What was your regiment?” he queried; “The Fourth Battalion Royal Fusiliers, sir,” was the soldierly reply. “You got that at; the defence off Vimy Ridge," said th e Prince putting his fingers on the Cross. “Yes, sir," said Godley, "August 23, 1914,” and he appeared surprised that the Prince knew. “Your father,” he added, “decorated me with it just eight years ago to-day.” ‘Well,” said the Prince “the best of luck, old man, and I hope we will meet again.” Subsequently the Prince went to the British Legion Club, and signed the roll of membership, and became a full member of the “Old Contemptibles.”. A roar of applause went out as he pinned th e silver hedge of . membership to the lapel of his overcoat. After chatting with some of the members find their wives, h e 'went into the billiard room, -where he met ex-petty officer Richard M. Rowe, a veteran of ’BB, who served in the Baltic during the Crimean-War, the Ashanti Expedition, and the New Zealand War. Wearing all three service medals and a silver medal for long service and good conduct, the- veteran stood to attention wfliile the Prince examined his decorations,and when the Prince made som e remark about the latter decorations, the veteran chuckled very heartily and said ’ “Long service it is I know, but —but whether it’s for good conduct I don’t know.” To which sally the Prince gave an answ-ering smile.