GENERAL BIRDWOOD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 228, 5 March 1915, Page 2

GENERAL BIRDWOOD.

"I THINK HE'S FINE. OFFICER'S NOVEL EXPERIENCE. Following is an extract from a letter from a Sydney oil'icer now in Egypt: "Excellent work has been done in the Bliort time we have been in Egypt. Sometimes I feel rather sceptical, might I say, about the chances of the A.I.V. going to Europe. I know nothing, of course! Just keep in mind, though, that part of the world called Syria, quite close to Egypt; Turkish' troops guard it at present, but will England miss this opportunity of adding such a fine territory to the Empire, and crushing the Turks, when everything is ready cloae at hand? Personally, I am not averse to doing the Crusader act; I hate the Turks worse than the Germans a good deal. The army corps consisting of the Australians and New Zealanders has been placed under the command of an Indian General, one of "Kitchener's men" Sir William Birdwood, C.8., etc. Well, curiously enough, I had the special honor of making the acquaintance of this distinguished soldier in the most amusing way possible. The funny part is that I have only seem two Generals before in my life; so to converse tete-a-tete, with the G.O.C. Colonial Army Corps, as I did, "was rather novel. It was this way. I went to Cairo one day last week, did some shopping, for myself and others, had a badly-needed hair cut, bath, etc., and went to Sheplieard's about 8 p.m. to dinner. Afterwards I went into the smoking room to read the British paper,'!. I was reading away, rather interested, when somebody near me 'chipped up,' as the saying goes. I turned round and saw a little fellow in evening dress. He had. rather knowing grey eyes, and was rather cute-looking person, now that I come, to think. He seemed politely in-J terested in the A.1.F., asked me where I I came from, how long I had been sol- ] diering, what battalion I was with, and so on; seemed to know a little about Military work, and remarked that we were very fortunate to be able to train in Egypt, instead of Salisbury plain, as the weather in England was most inclement at this time of the year. I warmedt<? the subject, told him my opinions of the conditions of war at tiie present day, and my impressions of the different troops we had seen. He ha<l rather a knack of inviting confidence. 1 told him that, in my opinion, the Australians would soon give a good account of themselves, and settle down to the new conditions. I also told him that I considered that a letter stint to officers and N.C.O.'s of the A.T.F. by the new G.0.C., Sir William Birdwood, was a very fine one, and that one and all would profit by his advice and counsels. He said. 'l'm very glad .you liked it; I am General Birdwood!' "I find I had more control of my feelings than I thought,. I only went a little red, and murmured, 'Really, . ir, I didn't recognise you.' 'Oh, no,' sai.'l, he, *a helmet makes a big difference, doesn't it.'

"Ho talked on just the same, gave me a lot of little tips about platoon and company tr.iining, and told me wlwt lie was arranging in the way of instruction for officers and amusement for men. I think he's fine. He's very gentle, and very nice, very' understanding, and so on, but he means to make the force a top-notch one and won't stand tomfooling. He wished me good-night at la it, and told me he hoped he'd see me o.i the training ground. T said 1 hoped so. too! I felt like asking him if*h<? had a Vacancy on his stall |

"I mentioned my experience to a couple of our fellows when I got back; it got round the mess very quickly, and I was stung' next day for feloniously hobnobbing with generals. It was worth it, anyhow."'