AN APPRECIATION OF METHUEN.

Evening Star, Issue 11609, 20 June 1902, Page 2

AN APPRECIATION OF METHUEN.

Lord Methuen published his farewell order in Western Dis.rict orders dated March 19, as follows Please wish my division good-bye from me. 1 had hoped to have served throughout the campaign, but it has been willed otherwise.” In answer L.eu-tenant-colonel Vyvyan, chief staff officer, Western District, wired: “Your message of farewell is published to-day in district orders, the last issued in your name, and has been communicated to Lieutenantcolonel Von Donop by telegram. All ranks in the Western District unite with the historic First Division in regret at passing from the command of a trusted and beloved leader, and express an earnest hope of your speedy recovery.” A further w.re was later received by Colonel Vyvyan, from Lord Methuen as follows Heartily 1 thank vou for your telegram. I have always linked the First Division and the Western District as one; but to save any mistake please let my message be issued as a farewell order to the Western Distr.ct as •well as to the First Division. No commander ever said farewell to a more loyal or iliier body of men.” In the retirement of Lord Methuen, the South African Army Corps lias lost one of its most capable generals, and it is re-, gretted by none more than by the men who have lately served under him. But of his original First Division that started with him from Orange River on November 20, 1899, there remain at present only two battalions —the Ist Northumberland Fusileers and the Ist Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, and these bronzed, war-worn heroes, who have been with him. throughout the campaign, can testify to his sterling qualities. In his recent misfortune none sympathised with him more than the men who had been with him through thick and thin, and he never looked more heroic than when he galloped up to his infantry at Klip Drift., in a hail o! bullets, with the blood running out of his boot, shouting: “ Stick to it to the last, men.” It is to be regretted, after the good work he has done, that his closing act in tho war should have been so disastrous. I have seen Lord Methuen with his coat off assisting men to draw water from a well, and apologising to them because there was not more. After a rough day it was always his first thought to look

after his men, and he would walk around the c«ap and satisfy himself by personal inquiries (bat they, had everything possible for ;tiieir kcpnjfort.