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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 242, 16 November 1914, Page 6

Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, one of the greatest soldiers the Empire has bred, is dead at the ripe.age of 82. He was one of the shining examples of those leaders of men whose frail physique was accompanied by a towering spirit. Every schoolboy knows the brave record of this mighty little man born under the. to die—this much may be granted him—under the colours, if not in action, at least still in the service of his country, Riidyard

Kipling has assisted to immortalise Lord Roberts in his well-known verses. "Bobs" and every "Tommy" in the land subscribed unequivocally to the tributes contained therein. If ever there was a Boldiers' general it was the late Field-Marshal. He never forgot in all his wide campaigning that his troops were not only soldiers, but men —which, of course, is not the German way of regarding this terrible business called war. With indomitable spirit and by sheer merit of performance, he climbed the ladder of fame until he became the &ist soldier- ifi the Empire. As Kipling put it, Lord Roberts did not advertise. The world rang with his exploits in Afghanistan: and Abyssinia. When the dark hours of the late South African war were upon England, the little veteran was sent to the Cape, with what satisfactory- result is common knowledge. Always -cool-headed, thorough, patient, and a tactician, lie hesir tated to sacrifice the lives of his* men while any hope remained of strategy effecting his , purpose. It was 'this, consideration for the troops, combined with his known qualities of leadership,that endeared him to the British Army and the ; world in general. In South Africa his success in planning the'discomfiture of the Boers -vvas darkened by the death of his only son, but the old soidie"r faced,his own deep trouble with the true Spartan while lending his invaluable counsel; to assist In retrieving lost British laurels. ' The last years of his life at Home were devoted tol an agitation, for the organisation of a national defence force of considerable proportions. He predicted in his quietly ,'ernphatie way. that Germany would do what Germany has done, but though he was as a prophetVrithout honour,; in his ]c>yvs>, country,, the,-outbreak of the- V war saw hiiii actively engaged in doing yfrha;£ he could to help England. The last few words sum up his After years of unforgettable service to his "country, Lord Roberts, before he died, was destined to see that country involved in the cataclysm he so long, predicted; More than that, he lived to see the memorable, the best traditions of the British Army resolutely upheld against over whelming, oddsj and it can hardly be doubted.that the picture was a solace to him at the end.