ARMY’S CHEERIEST OFFICER.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 252, 15 July 1915, Page 8

ARMY’S CHEERIEST OFFICER.

GENERAL WHOM.. KITCHENER • SAYS WILL ALWAYS GET “A FRONT PLACE.” '• - ■

The most cheerful, officer in the British Army is said to be Lieut. General Henry - Rawlins on, who has charge of th©. Fourth Army Corps in Prance, and who headed, the operation's that resulted in the. taking of the French town of- Neuv© •Chapelle. He did a lot of work in th e Boer War, and, when .lie ■ l^t v . r Ladysmitli, someone ojkingly- reported, that the troops began to di© because they found their, lives so-dull, - ;

Lord Kitchener has a high opinion of his abilities. For instance, when’ Sir Henry commanded a,mobile column which moved about a good deal faster than, was appreciated by, the. Boers, the present, Secretary, for .War declared his characteristics will.always ensure him a front place In whatever, he sets, his mind to.’’ ....

-..Sir Hct< "y ; RawlinsoEL ihas not had th© best of good lack.,in the prosnt campaign. Qa.pne or two occasions he has been ..opposed by superior forces, and has been unable to prevent the Germans. from getting, large reinforcements. At critical moments h© has also had to hold a much larger front than the size of his troops justified, but ho has always faced, stubborn situations with characteristic good temper and good humour, and he Is, as popular as ever. ■ ■ :■

AN ACTIVE AND VARIED CAREER He is a son of a baronet who was in his day a famous translator of the i Cun e formed inscriptions of Persia and Babylonia, and he has already had an active and varied military career. Commencing in the 60th King’s Royal Rifles In 1884 h e became aide de camp to Earl Roberts when Commander-in-Chief in India, and later he served throughout the Burmese War of 1886-7. In 1892 he exchanged into the Coldstream Guards, and nix years later became attached to the staff of Lord Kitchener during the campaign in the Soudan. He has been mentioned no fewer than six times In dispatches and has been awarded the King's and Queen’s medals with eight clasps. His favourite amusements are hunting, polo, rackets, and drawing, but he has also published an officer’s notebook that is very popular in the Service. For some years he acted as commandant of the Staff College, and has also commanded the 2nd Brigade at Aldershot,

He is only fifty years of age and a lot ought to be heard about his prowess and skill before the great wa'r in France is concluded. He Is a born leader of men, and when a great move is in contemplation he goes about freely and inspires his subordinates with not only his own cheery optimism, but also his enthusiasm.