GUNNERS, REUNION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 130, 4 June 1935, Page 9

GUNNERS , REUNION.

THE THIRTEENTH BATTERY

TALES OF THE DEVIL'S OWN.

Between fifty and sixty members of the 13th Battery, known to the NewZealand Expeditionary Force as "The Devil's Own," gathered in Wellington on Saturday for the annual reunion of battery members. When on active service the battery numbered about 200 men and as its members were drawn from all parts of New Zealand, both Islands from Auckland to Invereargill were represented. The reunion was commenced with a dinner at which old friendships wore renewed and experiences of the past year exchanged (states the "Post"). After the loyal toast had been honoured, officers, non-commissioned officers, and men settled down to an evening of song and story. A short toast list was honoured, songs sung, and Army choruses repeated, but the greater part of the evening was spent in exchanging reminisconcce.

Major W. E. Orsborn presided and referred to the comradeship and fortitude which were experienced In wartime. The battery.reunion wan the reunion of a- family and the 13th Battery had been a good family with a good father, (Applause.) The battery had won renown both in the artillery and the Expeditionary Force, and much of that credit was due to Major T. Farr, D.5.0,, M.C, Kveryone in the battery helped to make It famous, even the mules and Capo carts doing their share, (Laughter,) Major Oreborn proposed the toast of "Absent Comrades," and Mr, F. Wilson proposed the "13th Battery." The battery, he said, was proud of Us number and the name "Devil's Own." It was the pride of the line, and that was largely because of its o,C—Major Farr —who islnce the war hnd done eo much in setting pensions for battery members, Major Farr, who was received with warm applause, referred feelingly to the days he had spent with the bottery in France, The battery was too ready, bo said, to put all the credit on to the major, but he believed the battery's fume eauio from tho ranks. It was extremely to see so many present and to sue faces that had not been there in previous years. Continuing, the major referred to incident* in the battery's career, causing particular amusement by telling the secret of a successful inspection shoot when the range was paced off tho night before the practice took place. M. Reno Roi. a French resident of Wellington, spoke briefly to the battery nnd said his sistor had been in France last year and had met M. Laval, who hnd referred to the 13th Battery and had expressed the hope that they would be "long lived." He afeo eaid that if nny members of the battery were in France he would be glad to see : them. (Applause.) "The R.S.A. , ' was proposed by Mr. C. Whitohouso. and replied to by Mr. <T. Canty. The luttor referred to the proposed Wnr Veterans Allowances Bill and said the returned soldiers of Xew Zealand «l>ould combine to pet the pensions their worn-out comrades needed.

On Sunday the reunion wns continued with a picnic at Oharui Valley.