Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

viii PREFACE the four-mile champion, and Greer, the army half– miler-that same Greer who was a subaltern in the Irish Guards at the outbreak of hostilities, but who was killed a Lieut.-Colonel commanding a battalion of that illustrious regiment in the latter days of the war. But the most familiar figure we shall miss will be that of A. E. Flaxman, probably the best man of his inches the world has ever seen at the heavy-weight field events; English and Northern Counties Hammer– throwing Champion, English Pole Jump Champion, three titnes runner up for the English Discus-throw– ing Championship; not once but 'many times did he represent England in international events, and he was so great just because of his indomitable spirit and unflagging courage, both of which he carried with him into the greater arena of war when the time came. In 1915 Flaxman ca:me to the battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment, of which I was then Adjutant. His .popularity with the men was remarkable, nor did he ever have cause to "crime" a man either in the Scouts or the Bombers, both of which sections he commanded in turn. At the "Bull Ring" at Etaples, when he first arrived in France, he caused consternation by hurling a bomb well over seventy– five yards. On one occasion, when the Boche blew up a mine in front of the South Staffordshire's position and occupied the crater, Flaxman spent the whole night alone on the lip above, bombing the lurking