OUR CHANGED BOYS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14744, 25 October 1915, Page 4

OUR CHANGED BOYS.

OUR CHANGED BOYS. The wnr has brought about a remarkable change in the habits and conduct of the boys. In the early stages of the great conflict it was an everyday sight to, encounter street urchins marching about the main thoroughfares in battle airuy: Paper belhwts and paper putties seemed to be the reguiution, and the rifles and bayonets were of wood, whilst the drums consisted of tin ran*. There was no mistaking the martial spirit of the youngsters, however, and they were as keen ps mustardLater on we saw n development, and the street-boy corps commenced to show ai improvement in regal'd to uniform, equipment, and arms. Their elders came to their rescue, and it was really surprising to note how weil some of the kiddies turned out. The officers were selected on novel lines, sometimes the possession of a real military cap being enough to gain the wearer his step on the'spot. By watching the soldiers drill in the porks the boys soon picked up u surprising knowledge, and the “officers” weie also quick to acquire the true style. The London gamin is. often a born mimic, and it is really a’ tip-top amusement to listen to the commander of a street-boy corps giving commands in a good imitation of the public schoolboy voice. When the corps are advanced, and teal battle* are on, iher.e is considerable trouble in inducing a part of the force to impersonate the enemy. Hie lads are quick to understand, and wmle some will be a Turk for the occasion there is real disgust in the tone they say "I ain’t gout’ tc be :i blooming Oermhun.” THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The soldier spirit has penetrated every- « here, and it is to be met with in the street uichin and the peer’s son. The change in the conduct of the boys at tho puubc schools is remarkable. There are officers training corps attached to all the leading public schools, and at Harrow no fewer than 99 per cent of the boys lire now serving in the cadet corps. It is also known that of 2.ST3* Harrovians of military age over 2000 arc serving. What can be claimed for Hairow is virtually true at all the big public schools. Things are. done in the military manner nowadays, and it was instructive to set- the prize-winners (in khaki) march up,.stand at attention, and salute when taking their prizes at Harrow recently. Api opus of the changed times, a capital stow is related which illustrates this. A master noticed a schoolboy surreptitiously reading a book under cover of his desk-lid. The usual reprimand and punishment followed, but wren curiosity prompted him to ask the boy the name of the book he got the surprising answer, ‘lnfantry Training.’ Needless to say, the lines were remitted. BETTER. THAN BISLEV. Thirteen months ago the King’s Prize at Bisley was won by Colour-Sergeant Dewar, of the Queen’s Edinburgh Rifles, after a tie with Private Fulton, of the Queen’s Westminster Rifles, Both are now or. active service, and they have each piovcd the woitn of their Bisley training Fulton gained distinction months ago by getting home a bull’s-eye on a German sniper, and this week comes news of bow Dewar stalked two troublesome Turks in Gallipoli. His C.O. selected him to go out to tiy to snipe the snipers. These had crept through the Scots’ lines during the night, and hidden themselves completely in the sor-ili and bush. Di nar crawled down an old trench, and, taking up a position kept .ctareful natch. He finally spotted a lurk who had tied foliage about his I od.v and smeared his face and hands with dirt, so that it was most difficult to see him, Dewar ultimately had the opportunity he was locking for, and got the Turk in the forehead with his first shot. There was another Tmk further hack, and Dewar saw that it would be . neceawryto take him in the tear, so he made a wide detour and again waited patientlv. Tim Turk finally raised himself slightly for a look, and Dewar plugged him m the back of the head To get a “brace” of Turks with two consecutive shots was a fine bit of sport., zest being added by the knowledge that tho quarry might get in tho first shot. The enemy trained a raaoliine-gun on Dewar and i he v.as compelled to lie on his stomach for several hours, with the result that the hot sun on his spine gate him sunstroke, and he was unconscious for fbur •fays after regaining his owr lines. MODERN CURES. ■ It is a Mid sight to see onr wounded Heroes walking about tho London street i in their hospital uniform of butchiVs blue. They are surprisingly cheerful, however, and sot a splendid example to manv of the stay-at-homes. It is nico to_ thjnk that modern mugery and science is doing a lot to restore .our debtors to health and the means of earning . si livelihood, which would have been impossible in many cases n few years ago. ' A rcmaikable instance of this is related in connection with a healthv-looking man who was stopped in the street by a reoniitmg sergeant and asked if he would like to don khaki. To his astonishment tho man replied; “I have done mv bit.' and lost both feet through frostbite.” It was quite true, and the doctors had fitted him with such wonderful artificial foot that he is able to walk well enough to deceive a recruiting sergeant.