PROMOTION IN THE PERMANENT FORCE.

Evening Post, Volume LII, Issue 93, 10 September 1896, Page 2

PROMOTION IN THE PERMANENT FORCE.

• TO THE EDITOE. Sir — In your issue of the Bth "Fairplay" writes in most condemnatory terms of the newly-appointed acting-bombardier in the Perma»ent Force. Now, sir, I am a disinterested person, and know the whole affair from beginning to end, and as " Fair Play " has shown his side of the question to the public I ask you to kindly allow me to give vent to my feelings regarding the other side, which is as follows : — When the acting bombardier first tried to enter the service of the Government in the Defence Department he applied to the Under - Secretary of Defence, about three years ago, for the post of " infantry drill instructor " either for the Volunteers or the Permanent Force. The Under-Secretary advised him to first of all join the Permanent Force and, go through a course of gunnery, which had to be done before one could be appointed to any post in either of the forces, and then, if he was approved of, his case would get the favourable consideration of the Defence Minister. This I know he did, and was one of the best, if not the best, third-class gunners in the Force. After having passed his course of gunnery there was a large influx of recruits, and only one instructor. He was asked to come to the front and take a squad, and, if approved of, would be recommended for promotion. He accordingly did this, and met with the entire satisfactiou of the officer commanding the Permanent Force, and also Captain Coleman, who has all to do with the infantry drill, and was informed by the latter that he had been approved of and recommended, and that he might any day be promoted. After having done this work with the newest drill obtainable for nearly six months, he was appointed acting bombardier, which rank he now holds, and which is causing so much jealousy on the part of " Fair Play." With regard to being afraid to go up for the examination, I may state that the acting bombardier was so much in demand as infantry "drill instructor" that he could not be spared to work up with the other men preparatory to the examination, but would to-day, if called upon, pass as good an exam, as the best man that went up. I am, &c, The Other Side of the Question. 9th September.