MORE RAGGING IN THE ARMY

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5008, 4 July 1903, Page 5 (Supplement)

MORE RAGGING IN THE ARMY

A COLONIAL SOLDIER INVOLVED. (From Out Special Correspondent.) LONDON Maiy 15. That “ragging” was by no means confined to tho Guards was recognised' by all who had any acquaintance with tho service, but it was hoped that Lord Roberts liaving, so to speak, “made an example” of the colonel of that muchprivileged regiment, the responsible officers of other regiments in which such malpractices were rife, would take the lesson to heart and put a summary ond to them. This, however, has not heen the case, and we are face to face with another “ragging” scandal, tho victim of which is Second-lieutenant H. A. Willows, of the 21st Lancers, now stationed in Dublin. Willows, it appears, was originally a member of a colonial force, and in the recent war behaved with such conspicuous bravery and showed so much capacity that he was offered a commission. He accepted, and was gazetted to tho Lancers in October, 1901. He took his new position very seriously, and as in tho case of young Lovoson-Gowor, tho Guards victim, preferred study to participating in tho amusements indulged in hy his brother officers- They took umbrage, and by a continued series •of petty annoyances made his life as uncomfortable as in j well could be. Tho culmination, it is

said, came on the night of September' 2nd last, the date of ' the Omdsirman anniversary. A function in celebration of the Lancers’ gallant charge at that battle was organised by the officers, but Willows did not take any part. It is alleged that when the entertainment ended, several of the young officers of the regiment, accompanied by a brevetmajor of the Seaforth Highlanders, visited Willows’ apartments “made hay” of his furniture and belongings, mutilated his clothes, and after assaulting the object of their spleen, wound up the entertainment by throwing him downstairs. Possibly they did not resort to the extremes alleged. If they dad, it is really incomprehensible that Willows should have held his peace. It is stated that he made no complaints, and that his case was really brought under Lord Roberts’s notice by a riding I master named Cockbum; who, like Willows, had risen from the ranks, and was ■ also an object of aversion to his brother officers. The same gang appears to have tried to play the game they played with Willows on Cockburn. but he appears to have gone for his tormentors in a fashion which decided them to make a strategical movement to the roar and concentrate their attention on Willows, who was not physically so well, adapted for resistance as the well-muscled and active riding-master. Cockbum appears to have been satisfied with having defeated the enemy, and would have let the matter rest, bun on hearing how Willows had’fared, he decided to report the case to the War Office. A court-martial has been held in Dub-{ lin, but the results are not yet known, and it is said that Lord Roberts will bimself make full investigation into the case. Meanwhile, Cockburn has been transferred to another regiment, and Willows has been granted leave of absence. The 21st Lancers, since October]

last, havo been commanded by Colonel Kowlo, an officer who distinguished himself in South Africa, and very popular. Apparently the ragging took place chiefly whilst Colonel Crons Wyudhain was in command of tho regiment.