agw.txt
Alfred George WITHERS, #156, Regimental Sergeant Major, Royal New Zealand
Artillery, having reached the "age limit' was retired on May 21, 1911, after 38
years and 343 days of active service. Three years later on August 4, 1914,
World War I began. Apparently Alfred George could not bear being idle while the
country went to war, and therefore wrote the following letter to the Adjutant
General begging to be returned to active service.
Col Robin.
Adjutant General
Headquarters
Wellington
"Wellington
15th August 1914
Sir,
Kindly pardon the liberty I take in addressing you privately at a time when I
know you must be very busy indeed, and also in asking you to put aside for a
moment official formalities, that I may again plead to be included in the
Expeditionary Force now being organised, or in reinforcements that will surely
follow.
I have been rejected because I am told, I am over the age limit, in fact
because I am too old for active service. A soldier, Sir, is never too old for
active service, so long as he is physically and mentally fit why, I have
practically only been just retired from the active list. I feel just as active
and strong at the present moment, and with all mental faculties just as keenly
awake as thirty years ago, and as my sole desire is to serve the Mother Country
in this great European crisis, why should I be debarred because I have passed a
certain qge, and my hair has turned white.
I saw men in the ranks of the force just departed who are, I am certain, long
past the age limit of 35, with hair well tinged with grey. My two and only sons
are amongst that force, and it is hard to feel that I, the father, who have
soldiered for 39 years, should be cast aside like an old worn out garment,
whilst still feeling in splendid health and strrength and as fit as a fiddle
for active service.
I received the knock down blow of my life last Sunday in the Buckle St Drill
Hall, when, after falling in in response to a call for volunteers to make up
Wellington's quota to the first Expeditionary force, to be told to fall out by
the Doctor, because, he said, I was over the age limit and he could not
therefore pass me. I felt just like a fool as I fell out and, passing through
the crowd of onlookers, got out of the hall as quickly as possible.
Surely, Sir, my military services, to say nothing of those of my father, the
late Major WITHERS, should entitle me to some consideration.
In every regiment, or force, we are told by all military experts, that men
seasoned by long training and experience are necessary amongst the ranks of
both commissioned and non-commissioned officers, as well as the rank and file,
as stiffeners. I think at least I should be useful in that direction,
besides. which, there are many non-combatant positions in a force such as is
now being organised, that I could surely fill, or in any force that may be sent
later on.
Pardon the liberty I take, Sir, in asking you to help me to get into harness
again, on behalf of the old country and the old flag. At any rate, I feel sure
you will understand my feelings at this juncture, and the spirit that prompts
me to make this request.
(signed) I remain Sir Your obedient servant
A. G. WITHERS Late W 0. (warrant officer) RNZA
In response, the following note was added at the bottom of the letter's last
page to A. G. (Adjutant General?). "For your information I have suggested he
should volunteer into 'The Old Service'(?) as artillery man for use at forts.
19-8-14 AUR"
I have no evidence that Alfred George ever served during the war as a volunteer
at any of the Wellington forts. However, there is a small photo in the family
album showing him with a group of about seventeen men and captioned, "Taken
when helping to fit out troopship 1914"
The two sons mentioned in his letter are Alfred John WITHERS and Edward Oscar
WITHERS: my father and uncle, respectively. Both were part of a force sent to
occupy German Samoa shortly after WW1 began. In addition to what my father told
me, pictures in the family album confirms their stay in Samoa. - Robert WITHERS
24.1.2004
Please note: The inside address on this printed copy has been relocated above
the salutation "Sir, "for clarity.
(
geocities.com/keeto111)