28 NOVEMBER 1914, Page 13

QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY (BELFAST) VETERANS CORPS.

[To TER EDITOR Or TER " SPECTATOR."] SIR,-Mr. Alfred 011ivant's letter in the Spectator of November 7th regarding the organization of a Reserve of Veterans expresses the opinion of a very large number of men who are too old to enlist. It may interest Mr. 011ivant and some of your readers to know what we have done here. A number of graduates and other alumni of Queen's University, Belfast, have formed themselves into a Veterans Corps. The age limits are forty and sixty years. A course of infantry training is being given by competent instructors. The corps is self-supporting. Its members will arm and equip themselves in the best manner. When we have attained a reasonable degree of efficiency as a military force we believe that official recognition will be given us. Our corps is a flourishing and enthusiastic body. Its numbers already tax our resources in the matter of drill-halls and instructors. Many more are anxious to enrol, but must wait until we can make provision for their training. The Vice- Chancellor and Senate of the University, Major Gregg Wilson, and the other officers connected with the Officers' Training Corps, have given us great assistance and encouragement and have largely contributed to the success of the undertaking. What we have done might be done in every populous district. In a few months a large body of well-armed and trained men would be in existence and available for any service the State might call upon them to perform. Such a force, being com- posed of men over forty years of age, would in no way

interfere with recruiting for Lord Kitchener's Army. It would rather stimulate the younger men to enlist forthwith.—

Chairman of Committee of the Queen's University Veterans Corp.,