Younger Blood

A youthful up-from-the-ranks soldier who began his military service as a buck private in World War I was last week within stepping distance of Britain's highest military post: Chief of the Imperial General Staff.

In a sweeping High Command shakeup, hailed by a jubilant press as a sure sign that "fighting days are here again," General Sir John Greer Dill, who will reach the retirement age of 60 Christmas Day, announced his own replacement as Chief of Staff by General Sir Alan Francis ("Wizard") Brooke, 58, Commander in Chief of Home Forces and mechanized-warfare specialist. But popular Wizard Brooke will also reach retirement age in 20 months. Named Vice Chief was the ranker, Major General Archibald Nye, who is only 46.

Lacking family and political backing, Archie Nye started his military training at the age of nine in the Duke of York's Royal Military School (founded in 1801 for children of officers and soldiers killed in action in the wars of that period). He enlisted for active service, was a buck private for one year and 59 days before obtaining his second lieutenant's pips. He started studying law on the side about twelve years ago, was admitted as barrister of the Inner Temple in 1932.

Dublin-born Archie Nye is a virtual stranger to the British public, but General Dill refers to him as an officer "whom I have long marked out for rapid advance," and Winston Churchill is said to be equally interested.

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