VOLUNTEER CORPS AND HOME DEFENCE

LORD FRENCH’S TOUR.

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. A flying tour through three far-stretching counties undertaken yesterday by Viscount French enabled the gallant Field-Marshal, as Commander-in-Chief of the Home Forces, to inspect some 13,000 Volunteers in the Eastern Command. Naturally it was a strenuous day, but, thanks to the facilities for travel afforded by a special train, and the occasional employment of motor-cars, a programme embracing a wide area of country was carried out with admirable thoroughness. Lord French has on various occasions – in fact, whenever opportunity has served – made known the great importance he attaches to the movement, and Volunteers welcome with real enthusiasm the knowledge that he is devoting a series of Sundays to the task of inspecting many of the excellent regiments which, in all parts of the country, constitute such a striking proof of the patriotism of our race.

Now that the days of neglect are over, and the Volunteers deservedly enjoy an official status, a spirit of added keenness has entered into the corps. Anyone who saw the men of Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk parade before Lord French yesterday must have been profoundly impressed by the earnestness with which they performed their part in the proceedings. Whether in the suburbs of London or amid the pleasant surroundings of the Norfolk countryside, they showed that one desire only animated them – to do credit to the training they have voluntarily entered upon, and favourably to impress the distinguished soldier who viewed their ranks with critical, though friendly, eyes. Not a trace of carelessness could be detected in their bearing. They have a definite place now among the defensive forces of the country, and the soldierlike discipline displayed was evidence enough of the seriousness with which they regard the obligations they have so unselfishly assumed..