Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-01-06
WAR MAKES A MAN OF PRINCE
Heir to British Throne Was a
Very Boyish Boy.
Years Service in France Ilns Includ-
cd Being often under Fire and
Life in the Trenches with
His Regiment.

1t was over year ago. on November
20 to be exact, that the London Gazette
announced that the Prince of Wales had
been appointed an aid-dc-camp to Field
Marshal Sir John French, thus giving to
the country the first intimation that the
King and Lord Kitchener had granted
the royal subaltcrns often-rcpcated pray
or that he should be allowed to go TO
the front.
AS matter of fact the prince had
landed In France when this notice was
published and was on his way to take
UP his duties at genera! headquarters, so
that he now has been on active service
for more than year, relieved only by
some few leaves" on one Of which he
brought home the commandments chiefs
dispatches.
Tho prince was Eazetted n second lieu
tenant in the list Battalion Of the Grena-
der Guards, the senior infantry unit in
the empire. on August l., Il week after
the war began
He entered on his duties with the ut
most zcst and enthusiasm. Tho princes
work with the Officers Training Corps
at Oxford helped him quickly to become
All efficient subaltern, and it was "A bit
ter disappointment to him that when his
battalion went to Franco he was not al
lowed to accompany it,
SERVED IN TILE TRENCHES
But the reward came in due course
and he arrived at the war zone just as
the British expcditionary force was
mourning the loss of Lord Roberts. Two
weeks later he met the King on the lat
tcr's arrival to inspect the troops of the
allies who had stopped the German dash
on Paris. Nearly year later he was
able to conduct the King TO various points
Of the allies line.
Apart from these seini-ceremonial
tours with his father, The heir apparent.
who received his second star soon after
he went to France, has carried out all
the tasks of an aid-de-camp, cX
periencing the dangers and the dlsCom-
forts of war time-and earning golden
opinions ~lke from the famous field
marshal and from the humblcst man in
the ranks.
In that year he has changed from
very boyish boy to a man. He already
has received his first war medal-the
Crox de Guerre which tho French Presi-
dent conferred on him during the Kings
Inst trip to the front-and he has been
mentioned in dispatches.
He did duty for a time in tho trenches
with the battalion to which he belongs.
HIS FATHERS PORTRAIT
There is no attempt to prevent the
prince from getting too near the firing
line; indeed. It is doubtful if he would
submit to manoeuvers to keep him out Of
the danger zone, but the picturesque
story that he had a narrow escape from
death at Loos is devoid Of truth.
The princes automobile Is we'll known
all along the British lines. and plays a
large part in the many narratives of his
unassumng kindness. He ha. often
overtaken wcaried soldiers on the road
side and picked them up and carried
them to their destination.
One of the "Tommies' helped along in
this way was chatting in soldier fashion
with the two officers who had picked
him up, and in gush Of confidence
eventually displayed a photograph Of the
girl he left behind him."
In reply to an inquiry whether he car
ried any similar mementos of home, the
younger Of the officers rema rked sml-
ingly, well. I've got my fathers photo
with me, and III make you a present of
It If you like %
The soldiers surprise was turned to a
confused Amusement when his compan-
ion took sovereign from his pocket
and placed it in his hand
Behind the lines the prince is Just
popular. for he spends much of his spare
time in inspecting the hospitals and the
recreation rooms of the en-IondOn
correspondence Of Boston Globe.