The Army Sportsman

I love this little description in a pre-war book; it conjures up an aroma of a bygone age and values. It reminds me of the excellent 1944 film ‘This Happy Breed’ which captured all that was essentially English in the pre-war era.

According to Major J.T. Gorman in his 1939 book ‘The Army of Today,’ the definition of an army sportsman is one who:

Plays the game for the game’s sake

Plays for his side and not for himself

Is a good winner and good loser – modest in victory, generous in defeat

Accepts all decisions in a proper spirit

Is Chivalrous towards a defeated opponent

Is unselfish and always ready to help others to become proficient.