PRESENCE AN INSPIRATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 July 1930, Page 4

PRESENCE AN INSPIRATION.

In hot cornei’i? the confidence engendered by Travis’ simple, presence was sometimes worth more than many men. It is probable that he had never heard of the Napoleonic maxim, “march to the sound of the guns,” but a disturbance, anywhere in the sector was like a magnet to him. How he managed to pass scatheless through enemy barrages no one could say. Many a newly-joined officer or newly-promoted s.ergeant was initiated into his job by Travis and learned from him that the enemy could be beaten if he was assaulted rigorously enough. He taught while at the same time suggesting by his acts that he took it for granted that his pupil already knew what was to be learned. It is doubtful whether he appreciated the significance of his decorations, for that which he did ho counted merely as something which under the given, circumstances must be done. “Dick Tra ’s” end came the day after he had cleaned . up, single-handed, machine guns and bombing posts which were jeopardising the success of an attack. He was buried in a little cemetery above Couin, the one “other rank” of the division to be given a full military funeral with attending officers of all ranks on the battlefield.