ENLISTED AT SEVENTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19784, 7 March 1927, Page 2

ENLISTED AT SEVENTY

OLD WAITER’S WAR SERVICE LEGACY OF OLD CHINA. News has reached Winnipeg of <a quaint legacy left to the city by the aged head waiter of the famous London restaurant, Simpson’s, in the Strand. Although valued only at about £lOOO, it had been gratefully accepted by the corporation of the PrUire metropolis, and the notification of its acceptance eased the dying man’s last hours. For 40 years the deceased was head waiter at Simpson’s. Then, a few years before the Great War, he came to Canada, and settled at Winnipeg, where he secured a post as steward to the Country Club. When war broke out, he tried again and again to enlist, though he’ was in his seventieth year. At length, he dyed his hair and moustache, and bought a new set of false teeth, and was accepted for service las an officer’s batman. He saw service with the Canadian Medical Corps, was torpedoed on his way to England, and ' narrowly escaped. ; After the' war, he resumed his old job j at Simpson’s, and decided ihtet he would ; collect old china, and leave it at his • death, to the city of Winnipeg, for which ;he formed a great affection. He was • appointed sutler, or steward, to the Ancient Order of Froth Blowers, a charitable organisation founded by Sir Alfred Fripp, a noted surgeon. Members pledged themselves to drink only beer at their ceremonials. Frank Evison, the sutler, received a knighthood in the Froth Blowers, which gave' him great pleasure. Among his collection of china, for which he latterly impoverished himself, wns a cifp and saucer once owned by Lord Nelson.