SOLDIERS ALL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 June 1939, Page 9

SOLDIERS ALL

CONSCRIPTION IN FRANCE. A youth wearing the word “Bon,” in gilt paper, with blue, white and red ribbons hanging from it down the lapel of his coat, carries a sign that lets everyone/know he has just passed the military medical examination and is “Good” for service as a soldier of his country. Throughout France he will forgather with his companions, also proudly displaying the sign, and in every town and village the young recruits will make merry. Soon the day will come when the new recruit will be called up. On arrival at the garrison town he will find a sergeant waiting to receive the new soldiers of France, and after marching from the station he will gather with the others of his “classe” in thebarracks square. The farmer’s son, the clerk, the student fresh from his university, all are here, and among them are a few young men in the flowing robes of priests, who have left the seminary to give two years to the service of their country. Nearly everyone has a small handbag, a few only a white cloth bundle, and they look around curiously at each other and at their surroundings. Across the big drilling ground the barracks rise, and conspicuous on the wall are the words “Honneur et Patrie" (Honour and Country). In a short time the new recruits will have been taught to march properly, go through their drill accurately. Then will come the great day when they will be worthy to take their place beside their elders. Drawn up in a square, the commanding officer will pass them in review, and then will tell them what it means to be a soldier of France. He will remind them that every Frenchman considers it an honour to be prepared to serve the country where he has been reared, and end by presenting the flag of the regiment. Trumpets sound drums beat, while it is unfurled. Along the roads of France you will meet them singing as they march along beneath the blue sky and the sun. Athletics play a great part in the training of the French soldier, and football is much indulged in. Military service is a leveller, and once beneath the unform, the boy from the farm or the mine looks just the same as the gilded youth. They get to know each other better. But stop one of them anywhere and put the simple question to him, “Combien?” (How many?), and he will reply, “Two hundred and forty,” or “A hundred and fifty,” and add. “au just" (at tomorrow’s coffee distribution), which means that he has so many days still to serve. Two years of life to training, two years : n which he has gained much in physical strength, a time of patience, of learning to obey, but when the bar--ack doors open for the last time to let him pass out into the world, he will take away with him the satisfaction of knowing that should the call come he will be able effectively to defend his country.