[To TER EDITOR or TES "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Your article in the
last issue, " Home Guards," has made my blood course more freely. I refer especially to the sentence : "The veterans meanwhile intend to give him [the eligible man who does not propose to do anything just at present'] a good lead over timber." It seems to me that while there are thousands who come within the age, who are finding all sorts of excuses as to why they will not come up to the scratch and toe the line, there are others who, being over the age, are chafing, like a horse at the tape, to be away. Pre- sumably it all turns on the "too old at forty" bogy. Take my case. As soon as war broke out, thinking that a number of young fellows would be joining the colours from the police force, I offered to take up duty again at Scotland Yard. Not wanted. I then offered my services to the Prison Commissioners, having had experience as a warder. Not required. I have now passed the doctor at Lulworth Camp, who has certified me as perfectly sound, of good stamina, and fit for a military campaign ; and am now awaiting Lord Kitchener's decision as to the proposed "over forty-five" battalion. We all remember what you did eight years ago when the Spectator Company marched from Hounslow to Windsor. You proved conclusively that in three months the raw material could be transformed into a serviceable article. I do wish the " powers that be" would give the "over forty-five" a chance. I was considered a good drill instructor (squad drill), know something of ambulance work (two certificates), and am a cyclist and horseman. Still I am unemployed, while hundreds of tons of literature are being thrown away in the endeavour to cajole or awaken an interest in those who do not want to serve their country.— Ex•Inspector of Police (Mounted Blanch).
64 Duckett Road, .Harringay, N.
[We have the strongest possible sympathy with our corre- spondent's plea. Clearly ex-members of the Police Force should be treated exactly as ex-soldiers and allowed to enlist up to forty-five, or, if officers like Mr. Marsh, up to fifty-two.— .En. Spectator.]
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