ARTILLERY DINNER

FAREWELL TO OFFICER MAJOR C. T. GILLESPIE P 34 YEAR'S SERVICE COMPLETED Artillery officers of, the,- northenj military district held their annual dinner last night at the Royal Hotel tor* celebrate the 222 nd anniversary of the t formation of the Royal Regiment of T 3; Artillery. At the same time opportunity/ was taken to bid farewell to Major C. T. Gillespie, M.C., officer commanding - tho Royal New Zealand Artillery, Northern Command, who is retiring - after completing 34 years' service with?* the Royal New Zealand Artillery.

The dinner was attended by Major G. B. Parkinson, officer commanding the I?oval New Zealand Artillery, by members of the Royal New Zealand I Artillery, active members of the Territorial Forces and officers on the reserve. Major K. W. Eraser, New Zealand Artillery, presided, and toasts were proposed by Lieutenant-Colonel W. McKail Geddes, N.Z.A., and Major F. S. Soar, N.Z.A. The number attending was tho largest at the officers' dinner for many years. Major Gillespie is one of the oldest regular soldiers in New Zealand. He enlisted in 1904 and was one of Ihe first members of the Boyal New Zealand Artillery. He is also one of tho two remaining foundation members," the other being Regimental Sergeant-Major T. S. Power. In September, 1914, Major Gillespie left New Zealand with the Main Body as a non-commissioned officer. He served at Gallipoli and received a commission before the New Zealand Expeditionary Force left for France. There he was decorated for distinguished service in the field. Major Gillespie concluded his active service at the Battle of Passchendaele where he was severely wounded and gassed. For 12 years he was adjutant of the Ist 1 leld Brigade and since then has been officer commanding the Royal Aew Zealand Artillery, Northern Command.