Two Veterans

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3214, 27 May 1889, Page 2

Two Veterans

Major G. Shanis, ofEsgleMlVrV T >\ Bupflr Majwouohes for the, fact that, \%

thcro is living'at'that place. a'man who did fight under Sir John Moore at Uorunna, and is therefore not suoh \ an iniposter of heroism and longevity »>. as was, recently .brought before a grateful country for charitable pur€es. According to the Major, who Bho has proofs of his facts from War 0 liice, Thomas Palmer was bom in 1789 in Somersetshire. At the ago of 18 he enlisted in tho 32nd Begiraent, and in September.ho fought at Copenhagen. Ue was then dratted into service under Sir John Moore, and enjoyed what there was of glory in the retreat of Oorunna. His soldiering was cut short after theexperiencoof" BajacV breeches" , and Salamanca, by illness soon after the capture of Madrid. His dis h ' Charge from the army took place in 1814, and from that date till this year of grace Thomas Palmer has drawn (be usual pousion allotted to '', defeuders of their country ia his rank. i' to This allowance, as Major Shanks points out, is a poor dependnnce to keep an old man in comfort, and he appeals for tangible indications of national sympathy. ... But there is another voteran in the British Isles (says tho Leeds Meroury) still oldor than Thomas Palmer, and he looks as straight as a post, and well able to ride to tfitouuds if he could afford s horse, Ipd Boss shire permitted of that kind of sport, If there is anyone duly certified as older than Hugh . McLeod, crofter of Loch Broom Parish, Boss-shire, he has yot to be hoard from. Hugh was bora in 1788, and was, therefore, twenty-two years of age when Trafalgar was fought. Of late he has not been ablo to cultienough to carry home nearly lewt of peat from the moors of his ..neighborhood. It may delight Mr Buskin to leam that this six foot specimen of a race of very iniependent peasantry, fasr disap- : pearing, lives in a place thirty miles

from a railway station. Three of his i neighbors havo topped one hundred ifcl years, and when thoy take snuff together they must be a ! singular group. Macleod takes a fair amount of sleep both in winter and summer ; and his diet is as simple as mi honest . stomach, not polluted with kickshaws and artificial pamperings, • could desire.-pdrridge and milk for throughout his life, and Aotatoes, herrings, and other iisli, mutton, 'Tea has been a luxury latterly. Hugh's opinion of whiskey does not appear to have been ascertained ; but he, no doubt, has a sour opinion of "gvagers." 110 i 3 a staunch Established Churchman.