TOMMY ATKINS-OPTIMIST.

Northern Advocate, 20 April 1915, Page 6

TOMMY ATKINS-OPTIMIST.

; "YOU WAIT A BIT" AIR. RESOURCES ON THE BATTLE- • v ■'.- ■■'-'■ FIELDS There are so many circumstances that' do not add to the gaiety of nations'that it is a relief to turn to a cheery subject—the cheeriest subject in, the world in fact—Private Thomas Atkins, of any company, any regiment, anywhere. I have been with him in Africa, in Egypt, at Home, writes a correspondejit of the London "Daily :Chronicle," and now I am with him inVFrance, and I defy the ranke&t grumbler-to" see, his cheery, "You wait a bit" sort of air, and n<jt become a confirmed optimist instariter. With a grin on his face and a "fag" in his mouth, He's waiting for "Allemands"—up from the south; He's bin through the campaign from "Sissons" to "Wipers"; \H.e's plugged one or tw<}, an' he's * ■: "dead nuts" on snipers.' ty'ith s\. beard that he's proud of—a "Teddy Bear" coat, B:s legs wrapped in sacks—and a .'.husky sore throat, A! "code id 'is dose , ' and the frost in his toes, Yet'he.'s happy. -'Cos why? It's the job that he chose. There is no finer soldier in this than Tommy, not because he is a better fighting machine, mark you— the' German army is quite on a par with the British as .far as macn'inoilke tactics go—but simply,because he is" better material and because his officers, instead of being merely dri'.yerß o£ the fighting machine, are part and parcel,of the organisation itself. One of the finest compliments I ever heard paid to the\worth of the British qffiee'rs was by a private in the-Dur-' ■liam; Light Infantry, who made one of a.,'bucial party after his*company officer /had been .killed"Little toff he was—always did 'ia bit. , " Surely no finer epitaph could rbe Written. ' "/JROUSE—W?ITH A TWINKLE." • it-is impossible to remain long in the oomimny of Private ,Thomas At-; kins without being affected by the good humour which he always exudeis. •'Oi'buse?" Of course hell grouse; butho always does it with'/ajfcwinkle In his eye—grousing is as much part of the regulations is the wearing of a" bbl't' in the street. But he doesn't mean anything by it, not he. And always remember that' Tommy is the man who is doing the worfc He is fellow who is sticking it out—up to jhis neck in mud and .slush—surely he , is entitled to his little' grumble now and then. He's confident enough. '.bless, his heart, but he gets dreadfully borod sometimes.

never-to-be-forgotten retreat frora-Mons gave one of the finest insights into the true character of the British soldier. Day after day, falling back rapidly all the. time, did Tommy think he was beaten? Not a bit, of it. Wherever one met him there was the same cheery optimism— always the sort of "wait and see" look, about him—guarded reference to the "great plan"—accompauied by a .mysterious smile. The most implici: cotifidehce and trust in'his leaders is one of the qualities which Tommy possesses in excelsis. He is the greatest of friends with the Fz-ench and Belgians aud exercises a moral influence $ti'p.pbrt over his more excitable comrades which is almost worth an "extra army corps to the Allies. HAPPY ONCE MORE. < His resource also is wonderful Give j him an hour's halt from the march, liermission to light a fire and smoke a "fag" or pipe, and he is perfectly happy. Half a dozen chunks Of roc:K, a, few dry sticks, and almost before one can realise it the odour of frizz-ling-;bacon is being wafted to one's nostrils. The, tin lid of a biscuit box is his frying-pan, his bayonet or jack knife is "a fork to turn the appetising bacon until it is done properly, a huge slab.or bread acts as a plate—a tia of tea, and then down he squats on his "huhkerß," tea can between his, feet, collar up round his ears, slab of bread with b.acoij in one hand, the jack knife in the other—then, life qnc© more'is rose-tinted. gere aad h\\%* tered feet and frostbitten fingers are momentarily forgotten, and Tommy is happy. '■"'..':■* --