"RISEN FROM THE RANKS."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 230, 3 November 1909, Page 4

"RISEN FROM THE RANKS."

The recent new'* of the appointment of Sergeant Balding to the post of cavalry instructor to the Emperor of Morocco, at a salary of something like €ISOO a year, shows that the age c military romance is not vet dead (says a contemporary). It is not so easy nowadays for the friendless and penniless soldier in our Army to rise to a majorgeneralship, as did the late Sir Hector Macdonald, Luke O'Connor, V.C., W. Mcliean. Y. 0., and others: but there are nevertheless, two General Officers still alive who were once private soldiers, namely, Sir Harry Finn, late Inspectorfieneral of the Australian Forces, and Gilbert Hamilton. John Shipp, a poor boy and tho son of a private, achieved the unique record of twice winning a commission from the ranks in tile British Army. FROM TROOPER fIT) COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

It is in foreign armies, however, that our talented Tommies reap the richest rewards. Take tho ease of the Earl of Stirling, who, overwhelmed with deot, emigrated to America, enlisted as a private, and rose to be a brigadier-general. By cleverly availing himself of the fluctuating conditions of the currency lie was ultimately able to pay off a debt of ,t!S0,l)00 with but £IOOO in gold and silver! ilLs case recalls that of one 01 the Earls of Lindsay, who had been a •sergeant in the British Army, and wa* the son of a private soldier! Probably no British soldier achieved more success overseas than Trooper Ward, of the Yorkshire Yeomanry. He was deputed to take some horses to the Prince of Parma (a principality now merged in the kingdom of Italy), and his scathing criticism of the Prince's stables led to his being appointed the lattcr's personal groom and attendant at a high salary. His sound sense was so much appreciated that he was consulted oil every occasion, given hig'tl military rank, and presented with jewelled swords and other honors. He thoroughly reformed the army in a way thai raised the envy of neighboring States, was sent to Vienna as Ambassador, and while there saved hig country a war with Austria.

The ex-trooper finally revisited England as baron and commander-in-chief of the army of Parma and was received by Lord Palnwrston, who calVd !iim "one of the most remarkable men of the age." On his return lie found that his Royal patron had been murdered, ami was himself forced to fly for hi* lifn to Austria, where lu> died. PRIVATE HONORED BY A KIXO. ft was ordained that another Britisn private James llastie should carry through similar important reforms in a foreign land. He accompanied his regiment, the oflth, to Mauritius in "Water. ! 100 year/'* when he held the rank of sergeant. 11 it* bravery there—not fighting, but extinguishing a lire—earned him a commission, and fie entered tlje Governor's service. Shortly afterwards Radama, King of Madagascar, sent two of his sons to Mauritius to loam English, and. the ;ex-privale was appointed their tutor. Consequently, he returned with them to . Madagascar, became British Resident there, and gained enormous influence. his reforms including the abolition of the export slave trade, lie also reorganised the army on the European model, and hU death'was made, the occasion for a great demonstration bv the Madagascar, the King writing of'him: '•Many may boast much, but none will do so much as he has done."