J.T.C. and Home Guard Notes

were required in order to obtain the revenue required. On the advice of Sir Alfred Milner, Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue, he decided that a toll of the capital wealth left by deceased persons should be taken by the State. He brought all forms of property left by deceased persons into one pool and graduated his tax accordingly. The effect of this revolutionary new duty can be clearly seen to-day in the reduction of the estates of many rich landowners whose property at death is sometimes cut down to half of its former value.

After the overthrow of this Parliament Sir William was never again among the leading politicians, though he did on several occasions make fine speeches attacking Government policy.

In 1904, just after he had announced his intention not to seek re-election to Parliament, he succeeded, on the death of his nephew, to the family estates at Nuneham. In October of the same year he died there.

Throughout his life Sir William was a great personality in the political life of England, and Peterites (whatever their views on the vexed question of the equity of his famous death duties!) may well be proud of his prominence as a national figure.

G. D. Jefferson.

J.T.C. NEWS.

This term 2nd Lt. K. H. Rhodes took command of the J.T.C., and he at once set about improving the organisation and parade discipline. Instead of numbering the platoons 1, 2 and 3, he made the Company realise the existence, if imaginary in this case, of a headquarter Company, by numbering them Platoons 7, 8 and 9 and Recruits. His enthusiasm did not stop here, however, for he at once gave his attention to parade ground discipline and etiquette, especially among the N.C.O.s. By the end of term discipline on parade had improved beyond all bounds, and we hope that by the General's Inspection it will be perfect!

On January 30th the contingent was inspected by Colonel S. J. Worsley, D.S.O., M.C., T.D. (Inspector of Training Corps) on behalf of the War Office. The object of his inspection was to see the Company doing its normal routine training, and so there was no ceremonial parade. After watching the various platoons in training he gave a short and helpful address in which he declared that he had seen 28

many good things, but on the other hand there were some bad points which would have to be remedied.

Mr. Rhodes, for the rest of the term, turned the Company out in full uniform every Tuesday afternoon and he made a point of seeing that the parades were varied and interesting. He managed to obtain N.C.O.s from the barracks to train the Corps in both drill and the use of the Bren gun. This applied particularly to No. 8 Platoon, the Cert. "A" Candidates, and No. 9 Platoon. No. 7 Platoon as Post-Cert "A" candidates undertook a special course of training in field tactics under the eagle eyes of Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Jackson, while the Recruits were ably trained by Sergeant-Major Puddick. One Friday a platoon came up from the barracks with their platoon truck which was, like the men themselves, fully equipped. Each man, from the Platoon Commander downwards, stepped a pace forward and explained what his particular duty was and what equipment he carried. The Platoon truck, which had been unloaded, was then reloaded and each item explained as it was put in.

One day the Contingent was unable to carry out its normal training owing to the state of the ground and so at short notice a march was arranged. The Band played the Corps through Clifton up the North Road and back to school via Rawcliffe.

Owing to the state of the weather the field day was postponed until next term.

Thus ended a term in which, thanks to the keenness and enthusiasm of Mr. Rhodes, the J.T.C. took a real interest not only in their routine drill but in all their training.

HOME GUARD.

Second Lieut. Jackson has taken over the command of our platoon in succession to 2nd Lieut. Le Tocq. The equipment of the platoon increases steadily—we are soon to be issued with " Tommy " guns—and it appears that in the near future no Home Guard will be carrying a rifle. This does not mean that we are being deprived of all weapons, but that the number of machine guns is such that a machine gun is becoming the usual weapon.

The high-lights of the term were a Company dinner, attended by the platoon, who had a most enjoyable evening, and the Church Parade. On this parade we were much complimented on our smartness, the platoon putting up a very good show.