New Britain herald., 1917-05-01
NOT TOO
 OLD FOR FIGHTING
Fought Under Union Jack, Now
 Willing to Serve U. s.

distant cline and in restoring order in barbarian Zululand. R. H. Forshaw, familiarly known as the Father of Westwood Park" and we'll known builder, is daily preaching sermon of patriotism and putting to shame those who are attempting to shirk
 military duty upon technical pretexts and. in his opinion. fail to show proper respect to the flag that protects them and their homes. Although be- yond the ordinary military age. he expresses himself as more than willing to answer any cail of the United States. when men of his age are needed. notwithstanding that he has alreadyygiven three sons to the colors. has already served more than a dozen years under the flag of Old England and has a family dependent upon him. In addition to this, he Is to volunteer his services to the federal authorities to speak at any Of the local rallies as to why mon of eligible age should enlist for duty and not try to avoid being pressed into service. Reluctant as to personal credit for any effort in the cause, he admits that he is willing to aid in the arranged rallies to stimulate recruiting, whether ar- ranged for . Sunday night or some other night. In the past, he has as-. sisted in somewhat similar campaigns and is known as q fluent and con- vincing speaker. Nearly fifteen years under the Union Jack. such service as to result in his promotion to a ser geancy with commendation, indicates that he Is not speaking from a view point of theory but of personal know ledge and experience.
 "The minute that the United States will take or needs men of my age," he said last night T will be among the first to volunteer. The country's call to the colors. as an emergency call to defend our homes or to de- fend the cause of humanity and right in foreign ,climes. should not be ignored. There should be no need of forcible methods to secure an abun- dance of recruits for all branches of the service. It is patriotism to obey the call; 1t is, well a harsh name, to refuse or to await the compulsory if the country needs and legalizes men of my age to defend it's honor and the honor of humanity, to be among the first to respond"
 MT. Forshaw has two sons. Fred and R. H. Forshaw IT,, now in Uncle Sam's navy ready to fight for the breaking of the U-boat campaign and against Teuton barbarism. Another son was member of the crew of the Rhode Island in fts memorable cruise around the world, g member of the same crew represented by Leon Edgar Andrews of ATT Arch street. scheduled to be one of the speakers at the Sunday night, and other recruiting rallies.
 Saw His Brother Die.
 MT. Forshaw knows the horrors of war. as we'll as the sentimental side. In far-distant parts of the world he has been one of the representatives of the Union, Jack to receive the ovation of the populace. On many 8 hard fought battlefield he has been one of the band of brave on$s to help in the victory or to be among the tem- porarily defeated, one of the many to hear the cries Of tho wounded. the agony of the dying and to view tho sight Of the dead. He Is one of four brothers to fight under the Union Jack of England. In far-on Zululand he was by tho side of his brother. Thomas, when the latter received a fatal wound, dying far away from his loved ones among strange faces, with the roar of battle in his ears and the strange sights of foreign settings before him as he started out on the last long Journey. .f
 MT. Forshaw makes one emphatic objection to the present system and believes that it Is great drawback to recruiting. That Is the procedure whereby those supported by volun- teers have to apply. and unwind or cause the unwinding of much red tape, for the state aid supplied by the legislature. .The same as any pauper," he says, ''the dependent of a soldier, one who should be most highly honored during these days. one who Is making a supreme sacrifice and risking life and loved ones. has to apply to a public charities depart ment, the same as a pauper, to se- cure the necessities of life. prevent eviction from rent and to secure med ical aid. No wonder there are not more enlistments. no wonder many 3, man thinks long before he will give up a good-paying position to answer to the call to the color& He may be patriotic, he may want to rectify the wrongs of his country and humanity but he remembers the wife. perhaps an aged mother, and kiddies at home. If they were provided for, he would feel content, he would give his serv- ices gladly and be one whom the country needs. But he glances at the paper providing that the one depend- ant on a soldier must make applica- ton to the public charities depart ment as a preliminary unwinding of the red tape necessary to secure money needed to provide the necess- ties of life. He halts. he ponders and, 1t Is only natural decides that others can make the sacrifice before his loved ones will be subjected to applying for aid at a public charities
 department.