FIGHTING MOTTO

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21195, 19 August 1940, Page 9

FIGHTING MOTTO

sth INFANTRY BRIGADE PHRASE CATCHES ON (From the omelal War Correspondent attached to 2nd N’etv Zealand Expeditionary Force) AN ENGLISH CAMP, June 22 “Boots and all,” slangy but expressive, is to be the fighting motto of the sth New Zealand Infantry Brigade. The method of its selection was perhaps not strictly in accord with the War Office way of doing such things, but the phrase has caught the imagination of all ranks, and •was, moreover, lifted straight out of a speech by the brigadier. When returning thanks for the message of welcome received aboard ship from His Majesty the King. Brigadier J. Hargest asked that with the thanks there should be conveyed to His Majesty an assurance of the troops’ devoted loyalty and of their eagerness to come to grips with the enemy as soon as they were sufficiently trained. The sooner the better, in their view, and then they ■would be into it—if he might use a colonialism, said the brigadier—boots and all. It greatly pleased the men to find one of the more responsible London newspapers seizing upon this phrase to eptiomise their spirit and determination, the more so when the other papers were playing up the “luxury cruise” aspect of the voyage. For the time being the men have done with luxury. There is stern work ahead and hard preparation needed. So “Boots and all” it is to be from now until the job is done.