ENJOYING LIFE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23489, 28 October 1939, Page 13

ENJOYING LIFE

MEN AT HOPUHOPU LEAVENING OF VETERANS JESTS" REGARDING AGES . SOME REGULARS INCLUDED ■ The old adage "once bitten twice g hv'' has been definitely reversed by the ex-soldiers who have enlisted in the special military force now in training for service in New Zealand or abroad. Their enthusiasm would indicate that ns far as soldiering is concerned the expression becomes "once bitten twice as keen." On the day the troops left Auckland for Hopuliopu it was obvious that somo of the men had survived more than 35 summers and winters. Cautious inquiry goon elicited the information from a few that they had seen service in the Great War. While it is not possible to estimate, the exact number of exsoldiers training with the special force at Hopuliopu thero is a sprinkling of them. Troops' Badinage "Let me know when you celebrate your 21st birthday, soldier," one obvious veteran was asked by a venturesome recruit. "1 think you aro a bit late," was the smiling reply. "What' school were you attending during the last war?" ventured the inquirer. "A pretty tough one in France for nrarlv three years," was the frank reply. ■''■■■ Undoubtedly there are others in "camp, whq could relate similar stories. Most.of them appear to have served with regiments from the Old Country. The dry observations of one who proudly wore kilts last time, on the "de luxe" uniform he is now wearing would make interesting reading for any Cabinot Minister. Value of Veterans The value of these Great War reteranS in a force comprising men, many of whom have had little or no previous' military training, cannot be over-rated. As old soldiers they know all the cuts and their experience is particularly valuable in assisting their comrades to look after themselves and their equipment. Another useful man among the recruits is the ex-regular soldier who has served in parts of the Empire. Three or four of them already detected are proving very' tisoful. An obscure private attracted attention through the manner in which his equipment and bayonet-// scabbard were immaculately polished. He had obviously been a soldier before and it was learned he spent years in the regular army. He was soon selected to join the ranks of non-commissioned officers. , Answer to Criticism Manv 'of the recruits have been charged with rushing blindly into military service not knowing what they were in for. Such a charge cannot be laid against these men of experience who have volunteered again and their presence in the force proves the unfairness of the charge against others that they rushed in blindly. The doubtful age of some of these ex-soldiers has led to amusing incidents. /A commanding officer obtaining particulars of recruits' ages came to one who fought in France for three years during the Great War. "What year are yon going to say you were born in,"asked the officer pointedly. "The year 1905," was the prompt if not too accurate reply. It is not so easy when the veteran is confronted by the professional confidence of the medical officer. One veteran told his medical officer he was 34 years old. He returned later the 6ame da£ for more treatment. Question by Doctor

"How long is it since yon have had such an attack of this trouble," asked the medical officer. "Ten years, sir," was the reply. "How'old were you then?" asked the doctor hopefully. "Twenty-eight, sir," replied the veteran. ' "So that makes you four years older ttyan you were this morning," beamed the medical officer The force also includes some who have not vet qualified for the key of the door of their home. They are not so easy to detect. There never was an army that 'did not contain keen youths who disdain waiting for , their 21st birthday. •/, TEAS FOR SOLDIERS WOMEN'S VOLUNTARY WORK POSTS ON NORTH SHORE Working entirely on a voluntary basis, a committee of about 40 women is, performing a much appreciated service in providing afternoon teas and siippprs daily to men on military duty at North Head and Mount Victoria. The committee has been engaged in this work since the beginning of the 3nonth. and intends to continue the service ap long as it is desired. Using buildings placed at their disposal by the Army Department, members of the committee are on duty at each place from 2.30 to 5 o'clock in the afternoons and from 7 to 9.30 o'clock at nights. Three members attend on each occasion at North Head and two at Mount Victoria, so that each member is required to devote either an afternoon or an evening approximately every four days. The service is provided during the weekends as wel.l as on week-days. No charge is made for the service which comprises tea, cakes, sandwiches and sconcs. All the food is supplied bv the committee members and their friends and, as many men attend the canteens each afternoon and evening, the provisioning entails considerable sacrifice in time and money on the part of those concerned. This sacrifice, however, is, being willingly and gladly Wade, the organiser of the committee. Mrs. F. Spragg, of Clifton Road. Takapt'na, said yesterday. Tiv> men themselves have been most grateful to the committee for ite efforts. A, service that has been particularly appreciated has been the despatching of dixies of tea and plates of food to men' on guard duty who have been temporarily unable to visit the Canteens.