Ex-Servicemen's Corner

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 294, 11 December 1943, Page 8

Ex-Servicemen's Corner

BEDTIME STORY IXXOCEXT GENEROSITY (By 21475) One of the earliest impressions of troops newly arrived in Egypt is the lack of obvious features, topographical or otherwise, in the area of the New Zealand base camps. This absence of landmarks was the cause of the following incident, in which Harry and I were the star performers. We had just arrived with the Second Echelon from England, and our unit had been 21 hours In a tent area at Helwan. Harry and I were preparing for our first trip to Cairo. Before leaving; we discussed the prospects of finding our respective tents on our return in the darkness. We studied the camp layout and fixed the position of our tents in relation to a water tower and a burnt-out X.A.A.F.I. canteen. There seemed .at that stage little chance of confusion, so away to Cairo we went feeling rather pleased at our foresight in preparing for eventualities. After a hectic and enjoyable afternoon and evening in Cairo we stepped off the bus on our return to camp, still quite certnin that we would have no difficulty in finding our tents. Alas, in the darkness things did not appear just as we had imagined them. However, we located the water tower and the defunct canteen, so were quite optimistic—or I was. Very soon I had sorted out the two tents I imagined we were looking for. but Harry was a bit confused and would not be convinced. 1 insisted, and showed him the tent I had decided was mine, and said I would not only show him his tent but would take him right to his bunk. Harry just wanted to sleep, so agreed to this proposition. We climbed over and around the sleeping occupants of the tent to where J imagined Harry's bunk to be. There were several mumblings and grfians of protest, but we eventually made it. Harry was soon stretched out. and I proposed to depart. I tripped over someone, and there was a roar. I did not mind that, but unfortunately the owner of that voice slept in my tent right next to me. T had put Harry to bed in my own bunk!

FIRST ROSE DAY U.S.A. FUNDS BENEFIT With the addition of £2820 to the building fund for the new headquarters in High Street, the inaugural Itose Day held by Auckland R.S.A. must be considered a gratifying success. There are those who base their estimates on the Poppy Day appeal and expected the total to be higher, but the two collections can hardly be fairly compared. What the collection did show was that the outer areas did not subscribe as they do for the Anzac Day collection, and this can be easily understood when it is remembered that the Rose Day collection this year was entirely for the city undertaking. It is safe to say that, as the Rose Day collection assumes a broader aspect the clubs will take a much closer interest in it, and allowance must also be made for the fact that last week's was the inaugural effort. The organisers are to be complimented on the results of their short-term labours, and on the thousands of emblems made, the balance of which will form a nucleus for next year's supply. The collections from the various outer areas were as follows: Albany £9. Eilerslie £20 Avondale £43, Birkenhead £85, Brown's Bay £25. Mt. Wellington £22, Remuera HOG, Tamaki £91, Mt. Albert £59, Parnell Cll3. Eden-Koskill £208, Newmarket £77, Devonport £111. Takapuna £129. The total from the clubs was EII3S, and from the city collection "STILL GOING STRONG" Though born some time after the historic 1820, it can be said that the Jmperial Ex-servicemen's Association . In Palmerston North, in spite of the number of its members who are again in ihe forces, is still going strong. While it has not been possible to hold annual reunions on the Saturday nearest Armistice Day, as was the custom up till ID.S9. most of the local members. Service and civilian, have kept in touch, while activities of a social nature have been carried through, and the association is in a position to resume full operations as soon as conditions permit. Air. F. Coleman, R.X., is president, and Mr. Reg. Armstrong, Rifle Brigade and R.G.A., Dahlia Street, Palmerston North, is secretary.

COMING EVENTS MT. ALBERT CLUB.-To-night, dance, servicemen guests of evening; Monday, indoor bowls, members and partners: Wednesday, bowls, open drawn fours, entries close special Christmas tourney; Thursday, bowls, members and partners; Friday, club night: Saturday, 7.00 p.m. sharp, special Christmas tourney; members Christmas social, Monday 20th, bowls till 9 p.m.. men harmonv;" library, Monday and Friday. VETERANS' CHURCH PAKABE.— l-.mpire and Boer War veterans, church parade, to-morrow, St. Matthew's. 11 a.m., fall in top of Pitt Street 10.30 a.m. TAKAPUNA. —Tuesday, club night; \\ ednesday, general meeting, business important: Thursday, open bowls tournev, mixed, full rinks; Friday, club night; Saturday. Christmas party members, wives and children. EDEX-ROSJKI LL.— To-night, cards, progressive 500; Tuesday, bowls, club night. Ho ing for year; Wednesday, final dance; Friday, children's night, social and dance, games; Saturday, cards, progressive 500. -JIIKEXHEAD.—Thursday, club night, bowls, cards, etc; Friday, open indoor bowls tourney; Saturday, dance. OXEHUXGA R.S.A. — To-night, fortnightly dance, 8 p.m.; Tuesday, women's indoor bowls. 11 a.m.; knitting bee, comforts for Second X.Z.E.F., 2 p.m.: men's indoor bowls, 8 p.m. sharp; Wednesday, ladies' whist afternoon, 1.45 p.m.; mixed indoor bowls, ordinary draw, 8 p.m. sharp; Thursday, weekly dance, S p.m.; Friday, men's social evening from 7.30 p.m.: Saturday afternoon, Christmas party for children of returned and serving servicemen from 2 p.m. to G p.m.; evening, "free and easv" for members and their families. DKVO.NTOHT.—To-night, weekly dance, Foresters" Hall, at S p.m.; Monday, executive meeting: Wednesday, children's Christmas parly, Masonic Hall. 7.30 p.m. XORTHCOTE. — Wednesday, ladiw;' night; December 22, Christmas party, members' and local servicemen's children, 7 p.m. I'T. CHEVALIER ChVB. — To-night, lounge open for members; Wednesday 'i.ij p.m., indoor bowls, members; Friday, 8 p.m.. cards, progressive 500; Saturday. 2 p.m.. Children's Christmas party; 8 p.m., social evening. WAR AMPUTEES.—GeneraI meeting, Manchester Unity Hall, Wednesday, 7.45 p.m., business important. THE JOCKS.—Final Ingleside for year, Miss McXaughton's dance hall, Wyndham Street. Saturday next, 8 p.m.