Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1919 — Red-Haired Heroes Numerous Among Men Wearing Military Decorations Denoting Nerve [ARTICLE]

Red-Haired Heroes Numerous Among Men Wearing Military Decorations Denoting Nerve

“Ginger for pluck” is an Old saying which would seem to be confirmed in the bestowal of military decorations for bravery. “It was in the ruined square of demolished Ypres last Christmas Eve,” writes a British officer in London Answers, “that I was first impressed by the large number of redhaired men who were receiving the military medal. “Since that afternoon I have noted the complexion of every officer and man wearing a military decoration, and the impression made at Ypres has been strengthened in consequence. There must be something in the old saying, for wherever soldiers are gathered together there is a red-haired; 1 beribboned man in the midst of them. “Take our most famous fighting division—the Invincible Fifty-first. This is composed almost entirely of Highland troops, and the Highlanders are nearly all full-blooded blondes. Of course, there are dark-haired heroes in plenty, but nevertheless red hair and pluck would seem to be synonymous. Red hair is common among our most daring airmen, and although I cannot say how many holders of the Victoria Cress sport ruddy loeks, I am prepared to wager that they form a large percentage. “Scientists say that red hair is caused by a large proportion of iron in the system, and certainly carrots and freckles have been worn by men of iron while doing the work of men in the devil’s own war.”