THE LATE SIR WILLIAM SYMONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6647, 20 November 1899, Page 2

THE LATE SIR WILLIAM SYMONS.

— _ — _,p A CHARACTER SKETCH. General White, who commands in Natal, is clearly a favourite of Lord Roberts. AU the dim allusions to the latter's opinions of White's ability point to that. Yet singularly enough White did nofc rise until Roberts was in the ascendency. It was tlie same with the late Major-General Symons. He, too, was a Roberts man. Clearly Lord Roberts must have great influence at headquarters. Apart from this notable fact the career of the late General is interesting. He was plain Colonel William Perm Symons in' 1897. He was fifty-seven when he died, but he looked little more thaw forty. In- figure he was trim, light, well-built, and active, about .middle-height ; a face bright, but hard-bitten eyes, keen and piercing; dark hair and moustache still untouched with grey. A quick decisive speech, brisk, alert air, strong self-reliant ways show the masterfid spirit. Symons had great natural aptitudes for the command of men ; yet he never obtruded his authority ; he did not perpetually worry his horses, his powerful influence over subordinates was exercised quietly, unostentatiously ; he led rather than 'drove, and although Ids hand was firm, he was very patient aud forbearing, ever considerate to all shortcomings, full always of kindly encouragement to renewed endeavour. Sir William Symons' promotion was very tardy ; he had only lately pulled up tlie long leeway that left him so far behind in the waiting race. At the commencement of the Zulu was of 1878-9 he had but just become a captain, and was still at the bottom of the list when a single day, the dread day of the massacre of Isandlwhana, pushed him almost to the top. It was his good fortune to be on duty elsewhere when his comrades fell in heaps under the Zulu assegais. So, after spending twelve years as a subaltern, three carried him from captain to major, and in six more he was a brevet-colonel. Yet he had no great opportunity vouchsafed him in this arduous Zulu carapaign ; at its end ho was still a regimental officer, and he was awarded no special honours or distinctions. His merits had, however become known to his superiors (says a writer in the " Daily Mail"). He passed under th© personal observation of Lord Roberts. That fine judge of a man's character and quality was commanding the Madras army when the South Wales Border regiment,- in which Symons was a major, formed part of it. It would be a mistake to call such a good " all-round " officer as Symons a specialist in any one thing, but he was especially strong on the rifle, and how it should be wielded. Musketry instruction and the desire to bring his men to a high standard in marksmanship was his pet hobby, and he was cordially encouraged in it by Lord Roberts, who held exactly the same views. It is right to emphasise the fact that the undoubted improvement in army shooting, which may be expected ere long to put our troops* on an equality with, if not above •tiheir Boer opponents, began with Lord Roberts in Madras, and Symons was his principal agent. As assistant-adjutant-general for musketry, Symons carried out the excellent system now introduced in the Presidency, and initiated many reforms which, beginning in tho East, have since been adopted throughout the British service. Lord Roberts after this never lost sight of Symons, and henceforth his professional advancement was secure. When the last Burmese war was afoot in 1885 Symons went with the expedition, first as a staff officer, then as commandant of the mounted infantry. Another of liis " specialties " was a deep interest in tliis hybrid arm. He had been associated with it in South Africa, and had recognised its peculiar •usefulness under