ARMY'S CHEERIEST OFFICER.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1915, Page 6

ARMY'S CHEERIEST OFFICER.

(iKNKRAL WIIO.U KITL'IIKXKIt 'SAYS Wlu, ALWAYS CiKT "A. FRONT BLACK." Tin; most cheerful officer in the Britisli Army is said to be Lieutunant-Cen-eral Sir Henry Rav.linson, who has charge of 'the Fourth Army Corps in France, and who headed the operations that resulted in the taking of the French town of Neiive Clrapellc. lie did a lot of work in the Boer War, and, when lie left Ladysmitli, someone jokinglv reported that the troops began to'die because they found their lives so dull. Lord Kitchener lias a high opinion of his abilities. For instance, when Sir Henry commanded a mobile column which moved about a good ileal 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 Sir Henry Rawlinson has not had the best of good luck in the present campaign. On one 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 he has also had to hold a much larger front than tl-.e size of his troops justified, but he has always faced stubborn situations with characteristic good temper ami good humor, and he is as popular as ever.

AX ACTIVE AND VARIED CAREER. lie is the son of a baronet who was in his day a famous translator of the j Cuneiform Inscriptions of Persia and Babylonia, and he has already had an active and varied military career. Commencing in the GOth King's -Royal Rifles, in ISB4, he became aide de camip to Eari Roberts, when Comamnder-in-Chief in India, and later he served throughout the Burmese War of ISSfI-7. In 1802 he exchanged into the Coldstream Guards, and six years later -became attached to the stall of Lord l"t----chener during the campaign in the Soudan. He has been mentioned no fewer .than six times in despatches, and has been awarded the King's and Queen's medals with eight clasps. His favorite amusements are hunting, polo, rackets and drawing, but he has also published an officew' notebook that is very popular in the service. For some years he acted as commanuant of the Staff College, and has also commanded the. 2nd Brigade at Aldershot. lie is only fifty years of age, and a lot ought to be heard about his prowess and skill before the great war in France is concluded. He is a bom 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.