"Toy Band” Soldier Talks of Defence

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 277, 13 February 1928, Page 1

"Toy Band” Soldier Talks of Defence

SIR TOM BRIDGES ARRIVES

S. AUSTRALIA'S BAD YEAR

“F»r flung parts of the Empire ihould not only know how to use th# modem weapons of war, but t u ey should be proficient at makthem. They should make their own guns, ammunition, airolanes and motor-cars and stand firmly on their own legs in regard te defence.”

T AYING this down as an ideal o£ self L supporting defence. Sir Tom Bridges, K.C.M.G., C. 8., D. 5.0., late Governor of South Australia and a Crest War hero, said yesterday that be realised New Zealand was in a different position from Australia, to which he was referring particularly. He had nothing adverse to say about the Dominion's policy of defence. Such an admirer of this country, and especially of its fish, is Sir Tom, that he refused a trip home to England on H.M.A.S. Melbourne, which is to be broken up, in order to come here. Ust time his trip was cut short by political developments in South Australia, but this time, with his duties as Governor left behind him, he intends to do his best with the swordfish and the trout, before he re-crosses the Tasman and leaves for London. He does not know what is in store for him. “We’ve had a bad year in South Auatralia,” said Sir Tom, who expressed a desire not to talk about politics. “It was one of the worst and driest the country has known for a lon* time. The harvest was indifferent, but not so bad as we expected. Unemployment is also increasing. However, the people are in good heart and an able Government is doing what it can to carry on. The farmers, hard-working and thrifty Scots and Germans for the most part, are putting their backs into it.” Sir Tom arrived by the Aorangi yesterday and will go North by the Clansman this evening. Of all the incidents in the brilliant military career of General Bridges the most spectacular was his use of the “toy band” in the retreat from Le Cateau. He was then a major in the Dragoon Guards and he was sent to collect 250 stragglers who were lying, too exhausted to move, on the road between St. Quentin and Roupy. Sir Tom bought a toy drum and a tin whistle from a shop, and getting a player for the whistle, he roußed the men to an effort at self-preMrratlon by the music. In 1916, when he was in command of the 19th Division, he was severely wounded and lost a leg.