We record with no small regret the death of Colonel
Pollock, who trained for us the Spectator Experimental Company. He contrived by a system of intensive education to make lads of the elementary school class, of an average age of nineteen, within six months into accomplished infantrymen, as far as drill, military intelligence and shooting were concerned. Colonel Pollock accomplished this not merely by the arts of the sergeant, though he was a strong advocate of drill for its moral effects, but by interesting his men in their duties, by cultivating their minds and by stimulating and inspiring them in every possible way. He had no disciplinary powers over them except that of expulsion —they could have left on the same conditions as any hired man—and yet he never had any punishment troubles whatever. The only two or three boys who had ultimately to be got rid of as hopelessly inefficient were broken-hearted at having to leave. The sense of esprit de corps in the little force was absolutely fierce, and the feeling for "the good old Company" lasted for years. All the Company men did well in the War and several got commissions. Their love of and devotion to Colonel Pollock was a thing of very rapid as well as very strong growth. In a week the boys looked upon him as a father. He was, indeed, the beau ideal of the company officer.
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