A SERGEANT AT 13.

Bruce Herald, Volume L, Issue 32, 30 April 1914, Page 4

A SERGEANT AT 13.

} Uerasimos Itaf topoulous is a native of the vdlJmgo of Eiscardo, an Cephalonia. Ho is I'd years'of age. When the Greek forces wero mobilised, Uerasmios was serving as a waiter in a cafe in the little town of JPylotS ■ (tiie famous Navarino). The martial fever which electrdied everyone <at that season, took possession of Uorasinoa too. Immediately resigning his pest, he pocketed his wages, and the morrow found him in Athens, where ho presented himself at the recruiting ortico and asked to be enlisted. He was rejected on account of his youth. This did not .deter him from his purpose or lnako him loso heart. Ho went to see tlie troops off at the railway station, and wimo-thcro found means to evade the vigilance of the railway officials and to eonotwl himself in the roof of a carriage. Ho arrived at La-rissa on the eamo evening. There his earnestnesa moved the officer commanding the Eighteenth Infantry Regiment (Sixth Division), and he was enrolled as "Boy of tho Regiment," At Elassona, where the first GraecoTurkish 'battle- was fought, Gerasimcs j possessed himself of a rille and cartridges, and, taking an activo part in tho righting, received his "baptism of lire." His courage during tho action was acknowledged' by all, and thenceforth he was accepted as a "regular," distinguishing himself at the great battlo of Sanantoporo, and taking part in all the battles in which the Sixth sion was engaged. When the Macedonian campaign ended his division was sent to assist in the siego of Janina. There he was promoted and made- lance-corporal in recognition of hia bra\*ery; and 'after tho fall of Janina ho found himself once more in Macedonia audi taking part in the second war, that is, tho war against tho Bulgarians. During tho lierco battle of Kilkis there came a moment when lie was alone, surrounded by five Bulgarians. Judging that, resistance would bo folly, ho threw down his rifle, hut tho Bulgarians, instead of seizing him, searched for a ropo with which to bind him, and, while they wero <all for a moment off their.guard, tho youngster snatched up his rifio and shot three of them; tho other two took to their heals. As soon us the coast was clear, he dragged a wounded comrado off the field, thus saving him from falling into the hands of tho enemy. The bravery was rewarded by promotion to the rank of corporal. A few days later, on tho 1970 metres hill, near tho Bulgarian frontier, he was among the first in that terrible bayonet charge to gain the enemy's ' trenches, and tho Lilliputian corporal would' Iravo been cut down by a. Bulgarian if ho had not had tho adroitness to givo him a fatal thrust with his bayonet just .in the nick of time. Our young hero was now immediately promoted to tho rank of sergeant, and mentioned in despatches. Tho Greek Government has undertaken Gerasimo's education and introduction into tho military college of the capital, and his career is now assured. —Potrici in "The Boy's Own Paper."