IMPRESSIVE PARADE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 104, 29 October 1925, Page 11

IMPRESSIVE PARADE

WELLINGTON COLLEGE CADETS

GOVEBNOE-GENEEAL INSPECTS.

An inspection of the '.Wellington' College cadets was made by the GovernorGeneral, Sir Charles. Fergusson,-at ths College ' yesterday., afternoon. His Excellency was accompanied by Captain V. Wentworth, A.D.C., and also present were Colonel Commandant Powles, C.M.G., D.5.0., officer commanding the central military command; Major Mead, D.5.0., staff officer in .charge of No. 5 regimental district; Captain Campbell, Highland •■ Light ■--Infantry;"V area officer, No. SA; Mr. T. B. Cress well, principal of, Wellington College; Mrs. .Cresswell and Miss Cresswell,.-and a number of parents and friends of the boys. ..(••■,, . There were 769 cadets on parade,' Captain F. Marifcyn Runner being-in command. The parade was a credit to the College, the cadets being well-turned out, and executing the commands with precision, . ■ . ■ ••■■■.

Headed by the drum and trumpet band the. battalion marched round the lower ground in column' of fours formation, His Excellency, taking the salute.: After going right round the ground the 'battalion was formed up m front' of His Excellency. ■ t Addressing the parade' as the First Cadet Battalion, Wellington Begiment, His Excellency expressed his appreciation, at haying had the opportunity o£ paying a visit of inspection. It was the first time ho had seen r the boys of: Wellington College on parade, and he hoped very much that .it would not be the last. He was struck with tho steadiness of the boys on parade. Steadiness was one of the main essentials of parade work. As regards the handling of arms, it was not fair to pass any remarks about that, as some of the boys were too young to be capable of handling a rifle properly.' ■ ..• ■

.COLLEGE WAS HISTOEY.

His. Excellency then referred to the illustrious war history of Wellington College. "I hope all of you," he said, "have read up the history of your College*'.from; i the"point:bf.'."yiew of soldiering, because it-is, indeed, a very wonderful one. The record of service of Wellington College Old Boys in'the war is one of the finest records, the College has. I hope, therefore, that one; and all of you will read that record and take it to heart."

■'A GOOD" SOLDIER."

Continuing, His Excellency said there were three things in a soldier's lite which built up what was termed "a good soldier." The first was esprit de corps, or, in other words, the honour of the regiment. It was a point of honour with each soldier to do everything he could to add something to the good name of his country. That vyas the first thing a soldier learnt, and it was that which built up a regiment. The second essential was discipline, which meant control. A soldier .must have self-con-trol, for it was.that which made, troops stand still in the ranks. Discipline led to the third point, which was duty. A soldier carried out certin work simply because he knew it was right, and for no other reason. Honour to one's regiment, discipline,' and.duty, were, .then, the three things which built up a good ma:i and a good regiment. His Excellency asked the boys to remember them all their lives, especially . during their career as soldiers. "As you grow up," concluded His Excellency, "I am sure you will find that these army principles are really the principles'\yhich will, help you throughout your lives." . - At the conclusion of the address threa cheers' were' called for His Excellency, and these were given .in a manner; for which Wellington College boys are well known. " •■