The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-06
Idolized by Men in Trenches Because of His Democratic
 Bearing Among Them
DRIVES AUTOMOBILE
 AT ITS TOP SPEED
French Comments Him for Thorough ness With Which He Performs Every Task Assigned
 to Him

London, November 2O.-(Speeial Corre- spondence.)- )-"You needn't dismiss the testimony to the Prince of Wales sol d:erly qualities that comes from the front a7 nere 'tosh,' like most of what is writ ten about royalty; he really has made good in a marvellous way
 Thus spoke a British officer who is back from the trenches on a few days leave after service dating from the be- ginning of the war, and who is far from being given to distributing verbal bou- quets.
 It's just truth to say that before he came to France most of US looked upon the prince as a bit of mollycoddle," the speaker went on, but after a whole year of trying out in the thick of things at the front, he has proved that he is a real plucked 'un, and anyone who at tempted to roast him out there would get a thick ear in no time The best test Of an officer, whatever his rank may be. is what the men think of him, and it is no lie to say that the men out there abso- lutely idolize the prince. What has made Elm most popular of all is his almost daily visits to some part of the front trenches, his regardlessness of danger while there and his 'chummy way with the men. Whether shells are flying over head or not makes no difference to the smile with which he greets the guardians of these trenches. Through periscope he examines the German line, listening all the time to the explanations of the sit uation given by the officers in command at the particular section. There is no attempt to prevent him from getting too near to the fighting; in fact, it is doubt ful if he would submit to any maneuvers to keep him out of the danger zone. Night after night, too, he will turn up in the trenches, and have long talks with the Tommies with all formality laid aside, and if, at these times, there are any mears available of adding to the men S comfort or putting bit more in their stomachs the prince sees to it that this happens.
 'tThe men admire him also for the way he drives his motor. He is always his own chauffeur, and he goes at top speed and straight through whatever may be happening at the time careless of risk He has often overtaken tired sol. diers on the roadside and given them lifts towards their destination, many OF the men being ignorant of the identity of the pleasant young staff officer who has befrended them in so practical a manner One of the Tommies' helped along in this way was soon chatting ir regular soldier fashion with the two of ficers who had picked him up, and in a gush of confidence eventually displayed a photograph of the girl he left behind him.
 Tn reply to an inquiry as to whether iJo, ,o,r,aY n of the younger of the officers remarked smiiingly: Well, I've got my fathers photo with me- and I'll make you present of it if you like The soldiers surprise was turned to confused amazement when his companion took a. sovereign from his pocket and placed it in his hand.''
 The prince has already received his first war medal-the Croix de Guerre--which the French President conferred on him during the Kings recent and ill-fated visit and he has also been mentioned in dispatches His royal highness, - wrote Sir John French few months ago, continues to make most satisfactory progress. During the battle of Neuve Charelle he acted on my general stan as liaison officer. Reports from the gen. eraI officers commanding the corps and divisions to which ne has been attached agree in commenting the thoroughness with which he performs any work entrust- e6 to him His Visits to the troops both in the field and in hospitals have been greatly appreciated by all ranks His royal highness did duty for time in the trenches with the battalion to which he belongs
 Behind the lines the prince is just as popular, for he spends much of his spare time in visiting the hospitals and the rec reation rooms of the men, going about unobtrusively. When sports meetings ana football matches are arranged the heir to the throne isN often to be found look ing on, and in fact, he takes a keen ;ntere st in all that concerns the troops