OFF TO THE FRONT. MORE ASHBURTON MEN LEAVE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8273, 19 October 1915, Page 6

OFF TO THE FRONT.

MORE ASHBURTON MEN LEAVE.

Ashburtori has seen many of its sons go olf to tno war, but the novelty has nut yet worn off tor the people of the town. Last night when I'l men (most of whom were lor t'ho infantry, some for the mounted, and some for the artillery),, left to join the Ninth Reinforcements in the northern training camps,' a largo number or-peoplo turned out to soo them oif. The men, who were mostly of lino physique, and altogether of tho stamp required, fell-in at the drill shed at 4 o'clock. There they i were treated to a good repast hy Mrs John Brown (Wakanui).

When the men again lined up, the Rev. George Miller addressed them. He said that before they went he would like to bid farewell to them on behalf of the residents of the town a-nd districfc, and to express the great pleasure it gave them to see such a fine lot of fellows prepared to fight for their King a-nd country, it showed that in New Zealand there was plenty of patriotism of the right kind. We were all, very proud of the men who had gono before, and he believed that the men there would follow in their footsteps. They were going to do their, level best in the righteous cause. The people of the British nation were all patriotic to-day; they were as patriotic now as in the past—perhaps more so. Patriotism meant mutual suffering as well as mutual success. He believed that the people right throughout this country were loyal and true, and they all wanted to help the men who were going out to savo them. The bravery of our men in this war had been remarkable There Was one groat man who stood out in his memory at the present time—that was General Gordon. He was an ideal soldier. He feared God and went into I battle with his trust in the Almighty. He was trusted and revered by his men, and when the news came to England that he had been slain, throughout the whole country men and women were distressed, and a groat wave of sorrow passed over the land. TJbey should copy General Gordon and put their trust in God when facing the foe. Besides their own strong arms and their guns, they needed the Almighty to help them through. It was a great thing to have a just cause to fight for. in this great war they were going out to help to fight, theirs was a just causo. Should we let Germany conquer, wo would be crushed beneath an iron heel. Every Britain would fight to tho last to prevent that. "We are proud of .you, that you are going to this groat light," concluded Mr Miller "We pray God to bless and keep you while you are away. We commit you to God, and trust that you will como back safely when you have done your duty." At the conclusion of the address, the Rev. J. R- Burgin called for three cheers for the men who were going away. This met with a hearty response. The men then gave three cheers for Mrs and tho Misses Brown for providing the refreshments. .The departing soldiers then marched to the railway station. They wore headed by tho Ashburton Citizens' De- J fence Corps Band, which played martial airs. There was a large crowd of I people along tho streets and on the platform. The Ashburton men joined on tho express another 200 or 300 from Timaru upwards. There was the usual hand-shaking and farewelling on the station. As the train moved out cheers, were mingled with the strains of "Auld Lang Syne." Tho following are the names of the men who left last evening:—

J. Ainaworth. J. A. Addis. It. Angus. J. Arthur. W. T. Angus. G. fc>. Bramley J. Bielby. E. Brock. F. L. Brophy. F. G. Brown. P. S. OolUson. E. A. Campbell. J. T. Clark. J. G. Clark. D. M. Campbell. C. F. Colville G. H. Coup. H. Durie. L. G. Dawe. J. Duggm. J. A. Elliott. J. H. Ede. W. C. Garrad. W. J. Gee. A. J. Grigg. J. J. Golden. H. Hyde. B. George. G. A. G. Haslett. J. T Hawley. J. C. Heseltine, G. F. Hood. W. G. Holloway. T. M. Hutt. . W. H. Heppell. W. Hydes. C. B. Harold. L. Hurrell. G. Hosken. H. Hardy. G. R. James. D. Johnston. It. Kingsbury. L. J. Law. W. J. Lennon. G. G. Martin. J. Lindsay. J. N. Mudie. A. McMillan. P. Manning. W. Mcßao. J. T. H. Murray H. R. Martin. A. J. O'Neill. E. N. Monson. D. S. Osborne. S. K. Osborno. F. S. Pearson. J. T. Pluck. W. llea. W. Reeves. D. T. Ryan. J. H. Rigby. J. Smithel. H. Reid. G. Smith. J. W. Robinson. A. E. B. Saunders E. G Smith. J. Turner. A. Stringer. W. T. Wilson. G. J. Tilson. S. Wilborn. H. G. Weir. C. White, J. A. Wenborn.