ALL NATIONS’ RACE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 26 May 1928, Page 12

ALL NATIONS’ RACE

WON BY NEW ZEALANDER. WHEN A CHAMPION CAME BACK. PERSONAL REMINISCENCES OF ARMY ATHLETICS. (By “Physical Guitarist.”) jLast, week i recorded some of tae uecui of --iiex. Campbell, feme© nan cling m to press X received: a letter ifoni one or cumpben s soldier tom.ruucs. line writer vrviuiy uescuoes non, alter' tae lapse ox n years since AitA. naci severcu active connection wit-ii t-ne running traett, he successluiiy essayeu tne come uacn act, .VLieiij uespice tae tact that nis u.c. mu not in any way encourage »aiu in ills reaming, ,ne competed in t-ne au .nations' rive nines cross-country mil ana won it lor .New Zealand —tins was equivalent to a worm's cnampionsinp.

,>ty corresponcieiit writes or campoen as ne Knew mm as a comrade, an atnlece, a. soldier, auu a man. 1 nave a numoer or letters relative to Gamp oeli nxim some wno knew him when in ms athletic prime, eacn on© of which, rerers to the simplicity and modesty or tins great runner. He was admired and respected by nis contemporaries ror these qualities as much as for ids power or speed. What more could an u title te wish ?

iviy correspondent, Mr. Joseph Tosland, Piiiama, writes: I have, as you already know, expressed my pleasure at the old-time atnietic reininiscneces which are being chronicled iii the “Hawei'a Star” by means of your pen. As 1 once remarked to you, i wondered why you never referred to Alex. Campbell, the hide runner. For your reference and interest I will detail to you how I came to be interested in old Alex. We were in training at Tauherenikau, and those who were there will remember the stony parade ground and how we had to go- tame distance out into the paddock from the camp to get a piece clear enough to- handle a battalion upon. It was usual about mid-morning Or mid-afternOon to dismiss the parade for a quarter of an hour. A creek flowed near the camp, and it became the custom as soon as the parade was dismissed for all hands to range over t-o tne creek. Often a couple of hundred men would go “eyes out” to the creek, which may be anywhere up to 30 chains distant. I entered camp fresh from hard land 1 work in the very flush of young manhood, and I was very strong and fit, so enjoyed those runs and strove- to see now many men I -could outstrip in the' rush. Gradually I found that very few could heat m© over the full distance, as most slowed up towards the creek, whilst I swung on. A time or two a great lanky chap would pass me, leap the creek, turn and say “I beat you.” I never professed to be a runner, so I did not mind. One day, however, this chap came and sat down under the same tea-tree under which I and my tent mates were resting. He said:. “I want to ask you something. Are you a runner?” I told him that all the running that I ever did was one event, a mile, in which I cam© second. “Never mind,” he replied, “you will do. I want you to run a mile to pace me. You are the fastest over a distance' among those here, because I have been watching you for a long time. . I am Alex. Campbell, and it is 11 years since I ran, and I want to see if I still nave my old form.” I told him that he would not have much to beat and it would not be much of a test. He replied that I could have a good start. Now, I was not anxious to run against tais long-striding, bull-necked, squarejawed giant. 1 had seen him set after the pack, 50, 60, 100 yards ahead, and resolutely overhaul them. He was not to be put off, so I promised to- run with him when opportunity offered.

A RACE AT TR.ENTHAM. About that time the reinforcement was out in two. E, G, H and J companies were transferred to a former reinforcement to Complete its ranks, except the N.C.O.’s., riy this arrangement I a® a junior. A. 0.0. was with others drafted into B company and No. 8 platoon, of which Campbell was a unit. It was composed almost entirely of Hawke’s Bay men. When I got settled I automatically became tent commander, and Alex, was a mate. He promptly referred to our coming race, and a few days later we were transferred to Trento am. Alex, decided we should run tne following Saturday, as it was a half-holiday. He undertook to see the O.C. abo'ut permission to run on the racecourse. The O.C. was no sport, and would not allow iis to run there. Alex. then suggested that we should measure out 880 yards across the main parade ground in the direction of Heretaunga, put up a tea-tree pole with a liandkerchief upon it, and run to it and back. I did not fancy my chances, and would have shirked it if I could decently have done so. The hut boys would not hear of it, and came to encourage us. Alex, gave me about 50 to 80 yards (I forget now). One of the Hawke’s Bay chaps (S. Fletclier, the big catch-as-catch-can wrestler, I think it was) started us

I reasoned that the best thing, to do was to move for all I was worth as long as I could, and did so. We ran in socks and puttees, plus shorts and a singlet. I had almost- reachedthe half-way mark and had “blown” myself in the effort when Campbell caught me, rounded the pole, and was a chain ahead as I also turned- for home. By great bounds he forged ahead, and when I was about 300 yards from home he would be about 150 or less, so 1 pulled up and walked. As soon as I stopped the boys yelled to Alex, that I was coming. Alex just- lav down to- it and galloped in. When I very -sheepishly walked in he was in great glee. He wa,s sure that be was up to his old- champipn form, and thinking that I wa® close behind had -sprinted the last 150 yards.

Now, I only know of four men worse sailors than Alex. One we buried in the Australian Bight; the second was a. big chap named Johnson, from Dalgety’s, Hawke’s Bay; the third was a young chap from the King Country, the fourth is old “Brigham” Young; and Alex, and I would tie for fifth place. The sea voyage gave him hell, and it was some time after his arrival in Britain before he was able- to cross to France. During the- voyage, however, we were friends in adversity. Our quarters for most of the time were alongside the steering room over the propellors. Alex, generously gave me his berth, which

had a portnole at its head. 1 used to open tne port, draw in the fresn air and would -risk a wetting, as the mighty waves sometimes buried the stern," only a moment later to pitch, it mgn into the air wnilst the propellors whirled in space. I also- used the port as a spitoon (the ship’s fare was too hard for me), and Alex, would, though terribly -sea- sick himself, go to the canteen and bring me something more palatable than the half-thawed bull beef and doubtful potatoes, which were the staple rations. The others were also very kind, but none more openhearted than Alex., and it was with regret that 1 found myself moved ahead upon arrival in Blighty. Soon I was in France, on Passchendaele field, through the Ypres mud, did six weeks in the salient, got hit with a lump of shell, and was back in England in a little over three mouths. After a month or so I was well enough to be sent out of the “Tommy” hospital to on© of our own. Judge of my astonishment a few days later when old Alex, walked into the hut. After cordial greetings he told me that he learned where I was from Base Records office, and came down. He had completed -his final training, and was due for France when Ids leave was up. He told me that he had a. week extra because' there had been an All Nations’ crosscountry run, five miles the distance, and lie won it for New Zealand. The officers were so pleased that he was given extra leave. I have not seen- Alex, since, but - I am sure that he is still the same great, generous, simple-hearted man whom I knew in the war days. The doings of super-men always fascinate me, whether they be poets, athletes, warriors or statesmen. I love to read of and be associated with those who do, or have done, mighty deeds, and hearing the story of Alex’s great feats form his own lips, which repeatedly has been my pleasure, convinces me that he is really among New Zealand’s greatest champions. Told with a sense of reticence, yet with the zest of one who loves a combat, without any bombast, one is impressed with the almost childlike simplicity which is the characteristic of one who, if it had been his lot to be in the hands of a- wise and straight manager, would not have been among the “also starteds” in any company in any part of the world. I may have among my war records a. complete re-snme of Alex’s performances, because I wrote them up for the ship’s magazine. The editor, however, was not a sport. He did not appreciate the doings of super-men-, hut preferred- doggerel and essays on “Why we were like bees” or B’s, and the doings of the officers, so either the article came back or was tipped overhoard.

I trust thia-t this little chapter will he of interest to you when you come to Alex’s tarn in" vonr list 'of champions.