THE FRONTIERSMEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1921, Page 10

THE FRONTIERSMEN.

SPECIAL NOTES BY VOYAGEUR.

‘•When Drake went down to the Horn, And England was drowned thereby, ’Twixt seas unsailed and shores unhailed Our Lodge—our Lodge was born.” —Kipling.

“From accounts to hand by Legion Lieut. J. A. Laing, our Taranaki squadron delegate to the late Dominion conference at Gisborne, a strong forward movement in legion progress throughout New Zealand has resulted from General Russell’s taking over as frontiersman commandant, and there are signs of more vigorous movement to come in the near future. Particularly is this so with regard to Legion of Frontiersmen rifle club development, which is very noticeable around Gisborne. We hope the day is not far distant when every sub-unit in tlje Dominion will form its own local rifle club, thus enabling its members to attain and maintain a high general standard of proficiency in marksmanship. It goes without saying that good marksmanship, which in war time is an indispensible military asset, should in peace time be the pride of every frontiersman. During the Taranaki Squadron’s recent highly successful camp in New Plymouth no less than two full days were usefully and profitably spent in shooting on the Waiwakaiho rifle range. For the much appreciated loan of sufficient rifles to enable us to carry out our practice, our hearty thanks arc due to the officer commanding and the adjutant of the A company (Taranaki Rifles) Fourth Battalion, W.T.R. Lieut. Andy Smith, the officer commanding, is a frontiersman comrade of ours, who, although unable to attend our camp, did everything that lay in his power to make it a success. The adjutant is none other than that genial distinguished “digger,” Lieut. Les. Andrews, V.C., who is ever willing to further so worthy a movement as that idealized by the Legion of Frontiersmen. Our thanks are also due to the New Plymouth Rifle Club, a fine body of sportsmen who gave us every possible assistance on the rifle range.

There are at present various cups* which have been donated as shooting trophies for the different L.F. units throughout New Zealand, and for some of these there will be keen competition no doubt in the near future. The “W.D.” Challenge Cup for Taranaki squadron's champion shot has been won this year by our excellent comrade Frontiersman Charlie Rumbal, of the Ati Awa Troop (Urenui). At the Gisborne conference Miss Crompton of Hastings, an enthusiastic member of long standing in the legion, handed over to General Russell a. memorial cup to be competed for annually by two representatives from each squadron. This cup, Miss Crompton’s personal gift to the legion she loves so well, was duly fired for, and C squadron (Gisborne) won it for this year. Under service conditions (no slings, open sights) at ranges of 200, 300, and 500 yards there should be some very® interesting competition shooting for the Memorial cup next year. Needless to say we confidently look forward to seeing the representatives of Taranaki squadron carry off this cup from its present home in Gisborne. Service conditions are ideally adapted, for example, to the well known prowess of Frontiersman Ken. Blundell, whose marksmanship is a by-word amongst his comrades of the Ati Awa Troop; and Frontiersman Charlie Rumbal, our champion, is a Tower of Strength on the range under any conditions. In »his speech at Gisborne, General Russell strongly emphasised the importance of each unit’s holding a training camp for a few days each year, and in this respect Taranaki squadron has set an excellent example to all other units in the Dominion. Not only was our camp highly successful with regard to training in shooting and drill, but also delightfully enjoyable in connection with that social side for which the legion has ever been famed. In fact our one regret concerning the recent New Plymouth camp is that twelve months or so will elapse before we shall be able to hold another.

Since that happy re-union in the memorable camp of June one of our number, a beloved comrade who was apparently in the best of health and good spirits, has been suddenly and unexpectedly removed from our midst. About three weeks ago Frontiersman Arthur Worsop was taken ill with an attack of pneumonia which caused his death in a couple of days. He was buried on July 22, with military honors in the Waitara cemetery; it was an impressive ceremony which was attended by many of his old comrades of the South African War, Anzacs and diggers of the Great War. and frontiersmen of Paritutu, North Taranaki, Ati Awa, and Stratford troops. As Padre Gavin gave voice to the beautiful and consoling words of the burial service, one’s thoughts turned sadly to our dear comrade who had been so recently amongst ns—a cheery, likeable, good-hearted fellow whom it was always a pleasure to meet. In fancy one pictured him in the first flush of glorious youth and strength,' a dashing rough-rider of one of Now Zealand’s chosen contingents on the South African veldt twenty years ago; one seemed to see him with the Same ardent spirit on the bullet swept beaches of Gaba Tepe when, on the famous April 25, six years ago, was achieved that glorious feat of arms—the "Gallipoli landing of the Anzacs; one thought of his service in France. Belgium, and Germany, through those dreary years when the diggers of the N.Z. Division were assisting in making national history; one remembered well his jovial presence in the clubrooms of the New Plymouth U.S.A., of which body he was a staunch member; one recollected his welcome and never failing appearances at every legion meeting large or small; some of us had even laughed and talked wtih him just a few days before his untimely death, and now—reveries were interrupted by the sharp volleys of the firing party! The firing party having duly fired its three volleys. Bugler-Sergeant Taylor sounded the “Last Post,” that most pathetic, and most beautiful of all military calls. As the afternoon air quivered to the appealing crescendo, mournful diminuendo of the bugle’s stirring notes, there remained not one unmpistened eye amogst Hip people present at this sad j ceremony of last honors to our departed I comrade. Only too well did we realise the loss of a fine frontiersman who had endeared himself to us all, and who now, alas! was sleeping his long last sleep. Only too well do we realise the bereavement suffered by liis sorrowful widow;