ONE OF THOSE “IFS"

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 13 June 1939, Page 6

ONE OF THOSE “IFS"

LORD BADEN-POWELL IHy Air Ma.l-Ow,, ConecixMi'fecit? LONDON. 25th May. It is twenty-nine years exactly sine® Lord Baden-Powell, then just a knightly Brass Ha. with the romance of Mafeking still thick upon him, threw up hi* Army career. His decision was influenced by his ambition to start the Boy Scout movement, though he never in those days ever dreamt what the latter was destined to become. When “B.P.* resigned from the Army in 1910, the King pointed out that he was abandoning his career just as the highest rank was becoming possible. Nevertheless, he agreed that “8.P.” was perhaps doing the right thing. It is an interesting problem what might have happened had he remained in the Army till 1914. When the Great War started. “B.P. 4 ’ was only 57. which was younger than most Generals, and his tremendous energy and vivid originality might have achiever- for us and himself some great things. Possibly w r e should not have done so much tragic kicking against the barbed wire and machine guns, and the tanks

might have been given an earlier chance. It is conceivable that ‘ B.P.’’ instead of Haig might have succeeded French. Or he might have hsid com* mand in Gallipoli.