LEGION’S FOUNDER

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1935, Page 7

LEGION’S FOUNDER

CAPTAIN POCOCK HONOURED. NEW PLYMOUTH GATHERING. Captain Roger*Pocock, founder of the Legion of Frontiersmen, was the, guest of °L Squadron at New Plymouth last night, when a large number of South African veterans, army officers, and Frontiersmen gathered to pay their respects. Captain T. L. Brown, commander of L Squadron, presided, and associated with him were the Mayor, Mr. E. R. C." Gilmour, and Col. J. C. later, New Zealand commandant of the Legion. „ Captain T; R. Brown said Captain Pocock’s visit was doubly welcome as his father was a pioneer of- the Dominion. The squadron thanked -him for the inspiration of comradeship and loyalty of which he was a worthy example. They were delighted to meet and to welcome Captain Pocock, not only as the founder of the Legion, but also as a man imbued with high ideals and a wide Imperialistic outlook, who had devoted the greater part of a long life to promoting the welfare of the Empire, said Mr. Gilmour. Throughout his life he had displayed aU the fighting attributes of the pioneer, and his adventurous career appealed to the spirit of romance innate in all hearts. x , Captain Pocock’s idea was not to do something that would create wars, but to build up bodies of men who were ready for Imperial and national defence. It was a reproach to civilisation, to-day that the greatest incentive to war was the existence of nations not provided with adequate means of defence, or not protected by other nations strong in arms, and'able to give effect to the protection they had guaranteed. The crisis in world affairs to-day would not have arisen had Abyssinia been a strong military nation with adequate means of defence. , , « * • Mr. Gilmour felt sure that Captain Pocock’s mission would be successful. Not only would he extend the operations and personnel of a splendid organisation of loyal and helpful citizens, but his visit would strengthen and intensify that strong sense of fellowship and brotherhood which linked together the great Commonwealth of Nations. The Legion was stronger in New Zealand than in any of the other Dominions. This was perhaps the reason why all had looked forward with so much pleasure to the founder s visit. “In this far-flung outpost of -the Empire, we, as a people, yield to none in our loyalty to the Crown and to the Empire,” said. Mr. Gilmour. ‘We realise that this same great sentiment has been the motive and guidance of Captain Pocock throughout his life and actions. For the benefit of visitors, Frontiersman Archdeacon G. H. Gavin in proposing the silent toast “Ine 9000” explained that “the 9000” was the 9000 men who gave their lives in the Great War. To have been the means of giving 9000 men to the Great War stodd very much to Captain Pocock’s honour. „ , , _ Pronosing the toast of Captain Pocock, Captain Brown paid a tribute to his continued enthusiasm. That Captain Pocock .had worked along the right lines was shown by the fact. that although units were materially weakened during the Great War they were now back to almost their original strength. The visit of the founder to New Plymouth, while but just one of Captain Pocock’s incidents in his Legion lite, was the event in the life of the frontiersmen of L Squadron, said Captain G. Bertrand. The Legion was first formed to inspire loyalty to the King and to the Empire. When Captain Pocock formed the Legion he laid the foundations of a structure that assumed proportions he never dreamed of. The spirit of the Legion was th© spirit and comradeship that kept together the men who had experienced camp, patrol and war in the spirit of the frontiers of the Empire. “We are fully aware of the importance of the Legion and do not look upon it as a hobby or a side-track scheme, said ..Captain Bertrand. He hoped that the founder had noticed that in the Dominion there was no aristocracy of the Legion. He did not know whether this was right or wrong but it suited the New Zealanders. The Legion was founded 30 years ago but had kept abreast with the times. Opportunities had been afforded the tow.* members as. in England, where the Legion had become interested in anti-gas campaigns. All honour was due to Captain Pocock for the work of the Legion, said Captain Bertrand. They owed him more than they thought, because all Frontiersmen were bound together by the spirit inculcated by him 30 years ago. Captain Pocock delivered to the squadron a message from the CommandantGeneral and chief of staff at London, who assured the Dominion of the cordial good wishes of headquarters. _ Captain- Pocock dealt with the history and traditions of the Legion. The vital principle of the Legion was the election of its leaders. They wanted the perfect democracy of the Legion, which carried With it the grand traditions of the pioneers. With the common principle estab-

lished the Legion grew because it was organic; it was a living thing. The Legion had had ample opportunity of be- - ing killed but it was more vigorous than ever. He told how it had been possible for Frontiersmen to serve their country in many ways during the war. The Legion was for “the safety, honour and welfare of our Sovereign and his Dominions,” said Captain Pocock. His present tour included South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, he said. From Auckland he would go up the i east coast of Australia and thence to Hong Kong and Canada. There was much work to be done in the Dominions but New Zealand was leading the rest. Already the Dominion had nearly reached battalion strength. “The tour of the Dominion has been

one of the utmost happiness,” he said. “I have met a great nation in this country and will never forget the kindness I have received in New Zealand.” Other toasts honoured were: “Army, Navy and the Air Force” (Lieutenant Norton—Captain. Hunt, Army, Petty-Offi-cer Smith, Navy), “New Zealand Headquarters” (Colonel Varnham—Colonel J. C. Findlater).

The squadron presented Captain Pocock with a souvenir gift of photographs of Taranaki’s historical and beauty spots. Messrs. N. Roberts and L. Kerr sang a number of songs, Mr. Kerr playing the accompaniments.