RED ROSE MEN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 192, 22 January 1915, Page 7

RED ROSE MEN.

TRAINING FOR SERVICE. LANCASHIRE TERRITORIALS NOW IN EGYPT. Files of Lancashire newspapers rec ntly received in New Zealand contaht many interesting references to the work of Knglish territorials, and large forces of these have been sent from Lancashire to Egypt to complete training, and at tlie same time release regular soldiers there for work at the front. The following excerpts, therefore, will interest many people from the cotton country now resident in these islands. GENERAL MAXWELL IN COMMAND. j The fact of Turkey's participation in the war has a special interest for us in East Lancashire, for, as is known, our Territorials now form a part of our forces in Egypt. The British Government have not only given Turkey clearly to understand' that she must keep hands off Egypt, but have taken very prompt measures to guard the interests of that land. Germany has dragged Trukey into the strife, not merely because of the material military strength brought into her side of the scale,_ but because of the likelihood of bringing in the Mohammedan races. If so, the trick is likely to fail, just as the Boer rebellion lias done. We do not think relatives of our Territorials need to be anxious. !

Our forces in Egypt are under the command of one of "Kitchener's men," Lieutenant-General Sir John Maxwell. "K." has a very high opinion of General Maxwell's soldierly attainments, for the General was actively associated with Kitchener in the crowning triumph of the last Egyptian camBeginning with the Egyptian Expedition of 1882, and ending with the campaign of sixteen years ago, • which finally overthrew and destroyed the Mahdi, lie has taken part in every expedition up the Nile and in the Soudan that was organised in the internal between them. TTe was decorated for valour at Tel-el-Kebir, mentioned in despatches for his services with firenfell on the Soudan frontier, mentioned again and promoted for work with Kitchener up the Nile in the 'nineties, and received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament for his leadership in the battle of Atliara and Khartoum. He also received further "mentions" and honors during the South African campaign, to serve in which he was hurriedly summoned from Khartoum by Lord Kitchener. Sir John Maxwell married an American lady, who is one of the most attractive women in society. Their daughter, a debutante of 1012* bears the uncommon name of Phylao-—. after the Temple of Phylao, which j stood on an island of the Nile. j

HOW THE MEN FARE "ABROAD, The East Lancashire Territorials Me evidently enjoyine th™* fl "" i one* 10 "* " i ° l ' oxperi- .. U1 foreign service. In the letters which reached England by the last mail many of them give glowing descriptions of life abroad. One of their number, in a letter home, gives, says a contemporary, details of the journey, and of his new surroundings. On the voyage the horses (lied like flies, and most of those who were landed suffered from the heat and change of diet . "Every man has been supplied W'th imy {will clothing and g , m helmets, which were badly needed. The food is good, but quite unlike a good English meal. It is chiefly composed of marrows, pumpkins, rice, fresh figs, and dates. We have not yet seen potatoes, but we have had one cabbage between twenty-one men. I think my share would have just covered sixpence. Fruit is very cheap. lAbout a pound of grappa IliilyljO obtained for one piastre (valui) Private Frank Jfj-lstead (of Nelson), of the. East Lancashire Regiment (Territorials), writing from Heliopolis camp, near Cairo, Egypt, sajs:—"We are tttmping out on the Sahara Desert, about Seven miles outside Cairo. When we landed iii Egypt we went to Ismaila for about three days. Have been inoculated, and on the sick list for two days. Have seen some finC' sights, and it was well worth the voyage to see the Rock of Gibraltar. The people here, just resemble the. Bible pictures of olden time. It seems about six months since I left home-, and am learning the game of patience. We rise at 4.45, first Iparade from 5.45 to 10, last parade 4 1 to 5.30, roll-call 9, and lights out 9.15. j Wo have not many hours on parade, but it is hard work with the heat—a good deal greater than our hottest day. | Have missed all my friends and choir-1 singing, but I have the satisfaction of | knowing that I have tried to do my duty, however small." ' MEN* CREATE GOOD IMPRESSION. Letters which are now reaching the East Lancashire towns in great numbers from Egypt, where there are now about 15,000 Territorial soldiers from various parts of the county show that the Lancashire lads are performing tjieir training under conditions which are as enjoyable as they are novel. S Fortunately the extreme change of climate has not seriously affected the health of the troops. The heat proved rather trying at first, but the troops are attired in light drill clothing, with sun helmets, and they are now able to put in working days of ten hours. Health reports from Cairo, Alexandria, and Khartoum are alike excellent. All the troops are anxious to get to Marseilles and the battle-front, but should they not receive the sailing, orders tliey wish for, they wilj be compensated by wintering in a climate which henceforward will become daily more delightful. The Territorials have created a good impression in their new country. Commenting on one of their route inarches, the Egyptian Gazette says: "The turnout was excellent. We have seen many ■ a regular infantry regiment in Egypt which could learn points from the military bearing and the smartness of the step of these young citizen soldiers."

WHAT LORD KITCHENER HOPES. • At a recent meeting of the Burnley General Purposes Committee, tile Mayor (Alderman J. S. Kay) presented his report as representative on the East Lancashire Association for the past municipal year.. In it tile Mayor says: "The total strength of the Bast Lancashire Division was, prior to the declaration of war, as follows:—Officers 464, other ranks 14,007, giving percentages to establishment of officers 84.C2, other ranks 91.24, Since the outbreak of the war the association has had a particularly busy time. Immediately on the mobilisation of the territorials recruiting began in great earnest, with the result that the full establishment .strength (16,000) of the East Lancashire Division was reached on September 7. 'The question of fully clothing and providing the full set of necessaries for so large a number naturally caused great pressure of work on the association, and I am pleased to report that all of these articles were issued by 4 am. on Sunday,' September 6th. I am proud to say that the East Lancashire Division waß ,the first to accept the offer for foreign 'service. This meant that the division had he completed yi all ranks. The

j 'division left the district on September ! 9th, and I think the following telegram | from Lord Kitchener should be printed j in my report:—"General Officer Commanding East Lancashire Division. In- [ form the division from me that I hope that they will push forward hard with their training in Egypt, as before they are ready there will be plenty of troops from India to garrison Egypt, and I hope they will be one of the first of the territorial forces to join our army on the Continent. All will depend on their fitness for service against the enemy in the field. —Kitchener." We are now forming a sth Home Service Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment, and at the present time we have a full establishment of officers and close on 800 men. It is hoped and expected that the full establishment strength will soon be reached,"