AUSTRALIAN SPORTSMEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 August 1940, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN SPORTSMEN

MANY SERVING WITH FORCES. W. A. OLDFIELD'S REVIEW. Among famous Australian sportsmen who have offered their services to their country are Don Bradman (who is with the Royal Australian Air Force' and his team-mates Walker. Barnes. Fleet-wood-Smith. Barnett and White. The Australian Tost team which visited England in 1938 has contributed at least six men to the fighting arms. Bort Oldfield, famous wicket-keeper, who served throughout the last war and who is now active in home defence, discusses the war spirit of Australian sportsmen in a report, issued in New Zealand by the Australian Trade Commissioner. "Once again." he says. "South Africans. New Zealanders, Canadians and Australians find themselves side by side answering the call, and already among these are men prominent in every branch of sport. Is this to be wondered at? It is because of our bo- | lief in the principles of freedom and , fair play, so strongly inculcated in our various games, that we find with pride the example of 1914-18 being emulated. "It is unquestionable that the principles which true sportsmanship engenders, and which have brought fame to our Empire soldiers in the past, are just as requisite in the successful development of our arms today, and without them no army can hope for ultimate victory.”

Oldfield discloses that of the Australian Rugby Union football team whose tour of England was so dramatically cancelled when war broke out. no less than 17 have enlisted. In addition. Sid Malcolm, vice-captain of the last Wallaby side to visit 'South Africa, has joined the Navy.