THANKSGIVING DAY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 41, 27 November 1942, Page 2

THANKSGIVING DAY.

SERVICE IN WELLINGTON. f (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 24. United States forces in Wellington crowded the Cathedral Church of St. Paul this morning for a simple and moving Thanksgiving Day service. Besides prominent Americans, including Legation officials, there were present Lady Newall, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) and Mrs Fraser, the British High Commissioner (Sir Harry Batterbee), and Lady Batterbee. At the entrance to the sanctuary were unfurled the Stars and Stripes and a regimental flag, above which were hanging the tattered battle flags of British regiments. The service followed the traditional service of the AnglicaiWnd American Episcopal Churches. The preacher ■\yas an American chaplain, the Rev. Mr Lumpkin, and the Bishop of Wellington (the Rt. Rev: H. St. Barbe Holland)j took part in the seiwice.

CELEBRATION AT AUCKLAND. (P.A.) AUCKLAND; Nov. 26. United States forces to-day celebrated their first Thanksgiving Day in New Zealand. Wherever their messes are located American servicemen sat down at midday to their tratditional feast, for which some of the foodstuffs, including turkeys and cranberry sauce, had been specially brought from the United States. At a naval hospital where wounded from the Solomons are receiving attention, there was a moment of solemnity at noon when everybody who could stood! rigidly at the salute to “Old Glory,” broken out from the head of the-flagstaff, and “The Star Spangled Banner” was relayed over the loud-speaker system. Many United States servicemen in Auckland attended a' church service at night, and those officers who could also met at a special reception arranged by the United States Consul. Typical of the dinner menus was the following:—Cream of tomato soup, roast turkey with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, turkey dressing, gravy, peas, asparagus, tomato and lettuce salad, pickles, celery, and olives, parker house rolls, fruit cake, chocolate ice cream, oranges, lemonade, iced tea, and coffee. Cigarettes in packets Were also distributed to every man on entry to the messes.