LIEUT.-COLONEL A. BAUCHOP, C.M.G.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16463, 16 August 1915, Page 3

LIEUT.-COLONEL A. BAUCHOP, C.M.G.

Genuine and widespread regret will l>o fflt ai tho death of Lieuienant-eolonel Arthur Bauchop, C.M.G., which occurred on iho 10th iiisi., as a result of \vouud« received. A capable and extremely popular oiheer. and a thorough geiitlciiNui, lie had a wide circle of friends, who will deeply deplure hi.s less—a los* that has renderetl uiir forces at the front -distinctly poorer. Lieutenant-colonel Bauchop was previously reported wounded on July 4, and again a few days ago, but the news of his death, cauio to hand .somewhat unexpectedly. His military record was published in these columns at the end ot last week, but the following particulars of his career are taken lrom tile Army List: —South African war, 1900-02. Operations in Transvaal, west of Pretoria, August 29 to November, 1900. Operations in Tranttvaol, November SO, 19D0, to July, 1901; August to December, 1S01; ajul April ami May, 1902. Operations in f.h-j Orange River Colon v, July to August. 1901. and December, 1901, to April, ISO'S. Operations on the Zululand frontier of Natal in September and October, 1901. Mentioned hi <k snatches, I.oiidon Gazette, April 16, 1901: August 20, 1901; and April 23. 1902. Queen's Medal with four clasps; King's Medal with two clasps; C.M.G., March, 1902. Colonel Bauchop was mentioned in despatches on Aoril 16. iaul, August 20, 1901, February 2, 1902, and April 25, 1902. It was stated that at Spitzkop Colonel Bauchop (then captain) had earned th'. l Y.G., but as no superior officer had witnessed his gallant action tho distinction was not conferred. Ho was a fine all-round athlete, and distinguished himself particularly as a footballer, sculler, anci longdistance- runner. When war broke out he was given charge of the Otago Mounted Regiment, and apparently held that command until the tuna of his death. Colonel Bauchop was married about two years ago to Miss M. J. Kld-er, daughter of Mr H. R. Ekler, of Waikanae, who, with one child, has now to mourn her loss. In Port Chalmers, where Colonel Bauchop was widely and favourably known, the news of his death was received with feelings of deep and genuine regret, and flags were flown at half-mast throughout the town. The people of Port Chalmers in no way failed to show respect to the memory ot a man whom all admired and held in the highest regard. An atmosphere of definite and palpable gloom was caused by the announcement of Lieutenant-colonel Bauchop's death, and it seemed to be generally felt that the town had lost one who had brought it much honour, and who would undoubtedly have continued to do so had he been spared to render further service in tho interests of his country.

AN APPRECIATION. A soldier and a gentleman! How well this description fitted Colonel Bauchop— clinging to hia personality as a garment clings to a graceful figure—only those who knew him beet can say. Fearless, cool, and bravo, he was, in many ways, a tvpical soldier, and it is not difficult to imagine, that the various distinctions which grace his name, as it appears in the Army List, were well earned, or to believe that his services merited all the recognition which they actually gained. The direct, penetrating gaze "of his clear blue eyes, which also had in them something of reserve, as if. their owner was cherishing for his own contemplation some particular side of his nature, inspired a confidence, less only in degree lh.an that which gave it birth. Ho was in every wav admirably equipped to 1» a leader of men, and wa.s honoured and admired—nay, beloved—by thoso who filled positions "subordinate to him. while his opinions were held in the grc-jtost respect and esteem by his superiors. The methods which he adopted towards his men wcro well calculator!' to obtain their regard and affection. If this principle occasionally laid him oncn to a charge of laxity as a disciplinarian, it was actuated by kindliness, of heart and the desire to fill that paternal relation to his troops which ho conceived to be the proper duty of an officer in tho New Zealand "civilian army. He had, too, all tho modesty of a soldier. While ho would speak- in terms of generous praiso regarding the achievements of others, his lipu were sealed respecting his own deeds, and lie would orcfer a double measure of credit to bo meted out to others rather than, accept his own due. As a man he radiated geniality—not of tho noisy, aggressive sortbut of the quiet, genuine kind that carried its own guarantee of reality and sincerity. Sham or a pose were foreign to his character, which could with justice be likened to Wordsworth's happy warrior; and wero strangers to a nature that was honest, straightforward, and honourable. He had no favourites, but treated everyone with tho same kindliness and bland_ courtesy that placed even strangers at their ease. He touched life at many points, and in literature was deeply fond of Robert Louis Stevenson. " the well-beloved." His affinity for this fresh and healthy writer and the responsive note that Stevenson's l>coks seemed to strike in his .reast marked a significant trait in his character, and the words of the Requiem can undoubtedly be applied to him as justly as to their author: "Under the wide and starry sky Pig ye a grave and let me lie. Glad did 1 live and gladly die And I laid mo down with a will.

These bo the words that ye grave for me : 'Here be lies where ho longed to bo; Homo is the sailor homo from s"a And the hunter homo from the hill.' " C. G. M.