INDOMITABLE GEORGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 December 1940, Page 7

INDOMITABLE GEORGE

COURAGE & AMAZING COOLNESS.

Lord Harris, the famous cricketer of our time has passed on and now sleeps near his ancestor, George, first Lord Harris of Seringapatam and Mysore.

It is Lord George whom we include among these astonishing people, for he was astonishing indeed. He began, as he said, as nothing, and ended as one of the great men of his day. Born in Kent in 1746, he joined the artillery when young, saved a brother officer from drowning, travelled on the Continent, and served in. the battles of Lexington and Bunkers Hill in 1775. He was fighting in the West Indies soon atfer. He was in a naval engagement. He was captured by a French privateer and carried off to St. Malo .He was ship-wecked on his way to Ireland, his bride with him. He commanded a regiment in Ireland, and then went off to India.

In India indomitable George fought hard against Tippoo Sahib, and helped to destroy that powerful enemy, meeting him. at the head of 50.000 men, in 799 when he stormed Seringapatam. in Waterloo year he was raised to the peerage, but he remained a modest fellow to the end. nl P n . e l hing never to be forgotten An m hl i m . Was his Personal courage, true ° f lh ' S is lound in lhG was hit h ° £ . happened after he The suroo y a bol'et at Bunkers Hill. g ons said he must undergo an ThTwas ?n° r tho e r ning Xin. tics I ord r CayS before anaesthetics. Lord George, then 29, faced the ordeal not on y with amazing «> 0 nc ss but with curious interest, for he insisted on having the room fitted up with mirrors so that during the one ation he might see his own brain His commands were obeyed, and ‘h e had his wish—-a man of iron nerve and indomitable spirit.