THE TRANSVAAL WAR.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9939, 10 December 1900, Page 7

THE TRANSVAAL WAR.

Colonel Sommerville's Experiences.

The Courage and Coolness of Colonials.

Comforts for the Troops.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sommerville, who has just returned from the front, interviewed by a representative of the Wanganui Herald, made some interesting statements. " We ought to feel proud of our boys, Colonel," said the interviewer. "Aye, that we should. And I hope we all are. They are worthy representatives, 1 I ase„re you, of our colony. I do not think I will be bettaying the confidence oif my fellow-officers when I tell you that both the commanders of the Queensland and New South Wales contingents informed nae that if they were asked to express an opinion as to which of the colonial ecntingeuts had distinguished themselves, they would unhesitatingly say the New Zealanders. Coming from such a source, I think the compliment the greatest that could be paid our boys.' 'Twas indeed, a high eomplimeat. " Just to give you an instance of the coolness of our boys. And this is a fact, for I witnessed it myself, in coi-pany with Colonel . During our engagement outside Mafeking the order was given for a section to advance to a certain small ridge. The men advanced, and immediately, of course, sought cover, such as there was. Two of our boys—a South Islander and a North Islander— raced for the same ant hill, and a dispute arose as to which should occupy it. 'I'll toss you for it,' said one. 'Right you are,' replied the other, and a coin was quickly produced, and the one who lost promptly accepted the inevitable, and dropped down in the ; grass not far from his comrade's cover, ; exclaiming, ' fooh, this is a sight better than yours." " That was certainly a rather cool transaction, considering Boer bullets were whistling about." " Just one more instance. There was a Victorian with us who was awfully anxious to ge£ wounded. He said he would never feel satisfied to go back home unless he had a mark on him from the Boers. So, despite our remonstrance that he might get a bullet in the head, he exposed himself for over an hour." " Did he have his wish gratified ?" "Not that lam aware of, though I know several of our fellows suggested he should let them have a pot at him, but that he modestly declined." *' Did you see much of Tommy Atkins ?" " Not much, but what I did see I could not fail to admire. He ia a provet bial machine, and does just as he is ordered. Unlike the colonial he is, in that the latter uses his judgment more, and this is where the colonial distinguishes himself. Tommy realises all the charms of a soldier's life, and is entirely callous ot death ; indeed, that is the experience of all our men after once tasting fire. Tommy is really a first-class fellow, and if there is a better soldier in the world I would like to make his acquaintance." " Did you see many of the Imperial officers?" " A few. I had the pleasure of speaking to Lord Roberts, Tommy's god, and can quite understand why he is so beloved. When I saw him at Nelnpruit, on the Delagoa railway, he was bustling about speaking cheerily to wounded officers and men. Lord Kitchener I also saw, and should say a better man to reorganise the army would be impossible to find. General French was at Barberton, aud if Lord Roberts is Tommy's god, the gallant cavalry officer is ju9t as much the hero ot the mounted men." Complaint has been made, said the raporter, that our men in South Africa are without comforts, and an appeal is now being made in the colony for funds to supplyflthem. "It will be money thrown away," retorted Colonel Sommerville. " When I was in Pretoria there were 100 tons of comforts for the colonial troops, who had received little or nothing in that respect. At Mafeking also there were 60 bales of clothing for the New Zealanders. Where they came from was a mystery, but probably the Agent-General knew something about them. We took a couple of bales when we were there, and sent the remainder down to the Cape, there to await the New Zealanders when they returned. When arriving at Beira I sent down 20 cases of comforts, etc., addressed to the three First Contingents, but when I left they had not received them. Under these circumstances, it is useless to send comforts. Better far to send money, and the men could then purchase for themselves."