[Editor: This article, regarding school military cadets, was published in The Sydneian (Sydney, NSW), December 1914. It was printed during World War One (1914-1918).]
Cadet notes.
Bardolph, “On, on, on, on, on! to the breach, to the breach!”
A new spirit inspires us. Many old members of the Sydney Grammar School Cadets have gone to the breach — some are already fighting — some have made the noble sacrifice of their lives and in the common every day round of our work we are feeling the influence of their example. Our drill, even if it is only marking time or “form fours right,” has acquired a new import. We are doing something in the struggle in which we believe that the British Empire stands for right and freedom. Many of us wish we were older, and some, alas! that we were younger, but we all feel that we would never say with Nym, “Pray thee corporal, stay: the knocks are too hot.”
Capt. Norrie, our former officer, is in German New Guinea, and Lieutenant Pegg, whom we have not seen yet upon parade, has taken his place, “Le roi est mort — vive le roi.”
When it was too wet for drill on a full day parade, Mr. Jackson spoke to us upon “Outposts,” and on another occasion when it was too hot for a half day parade Mr. Soden took us to the baths for a swim. It would be odious to attempt to compare the satisfaction derived from each of these diversions from the ordinary routine.
We have heard a rumour that a shield is to be presented to the School Cadets for an inter-company competition in drill and general proficiency. We hope this is true — such a competition would add zest to our work, and the Senior Cadets, as well as the Juniors, would boast an honour company, whose photograph would add a yearly adornment to the Upper School entrance.
G. and H. Companies both spent a pleasant day at the rifle range when firing their musketry course. There were no casualties.
The Signalling Corps badly needs inspection and an examination. Davis makes an excellent instructor, but we strongly suspect that this branch of our service is often a refuge for those shirkers who don’t like hard work with the rifle, and who find it much easier to carry a flag than a Westley Richard.
Are we to be reorganised on the principles of “Infantry Training, 1914,” the new edition of the “Soldier’s Bible,” according to which a company of two hundred strong is to consist of 4 platoons and 16 sections, commanded by a Major or Mounted Captain? Each platoon, we believe, is to be under the charge of a subaltern, with a Platoon Sergeant as second in command. No doubt the Commonwealth Forces (of which we form no inconsiderable portion), will have to conform to the Imperial model.
W.F.J.
Source:
The Sydneian (Sydney, NSW), December 1914, p. 16-17 (Sydney Grammar School) [PDF; accessible via: “The Sydneian”, Sydney Grammar School]
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