THE MAIN BODY

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26244, 16 October 1950, Page 3

THE MAIN BODY

MORE THAN 800 MEN ATTEND REUNION

WEEK-END CELEBRATIONS IN CHRISTCHURCH

Commemorating the thirty-sixth anniversary ol the departure of the Main Body of the New Zealand Expeditionary lorce of the 1914-18 war the first of a series of gatherings was held at the Addington Show urounas on Saturday More than iOO men from an parts of New Zealand attended a dinner, at which Mr Artnur J. Smith, chairman of the organising committee, presided The Prime minister (Mr Holland) attended the uinner. Io get men of the same regiments together, tames were allotted to the different transports: Maunganui (No. 3), Tahiti (No. 4), Ruapehu (No 5) Orari <No. 6), Limerick (No. 7) Star of indla 'No. 8), Hawke's Bay (No. 9), Arawa (No. 10), Athenic (No 11) ana Waimana (No. 12) ’ Speeches were brief, and most of the evening was spent by the men in recalling incidents on the troopships and on the battlefields of Egypt Gaihpoli, Palestine, and France and 1914 elatln8 experiences 01 days since Major G. F. Hutton, in proposing the toast of the New Zealand Government, sa ‘d he felt assured that the controlling powers would look after the interest of returned servicemen of both wars. at_ The u ? rime Minister said that although he was not a member of the Main Body he was a returned soldier of another contingent, and knew the position of the returned soldier. The present Government would at all times prove worthy of the trust placed in it. and help to keep up the reputation begun so nobly by men of the Main Body. No man could leave the meeting, he said, without gaining inspiration from a gathering of so many of the 1914-18 veterans. That th» spirit of Anzac was still dominant in the young men of to-day was shown by the splendid response to the country's call for volunteers for the Korean front.

The Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. N Clarke) welcomed the visitors to Christchurch with a wish that they would leave the city with memories of its beauty and hospitality. The reunion of the Main Body veterans would be one of the highlights of centennial year in Christchurch. Brigadier A. S. Falconer, C.8.E., D. 5.0.. M.C.. replied on behalf of the 1914-18 soldiers The Rev. H. L. Blamires, one of the chaplains with the Main Body, spoke of fallen comrades, and. with all lights dimmed, Lieutenant G. Burgess, a veteran bugler, sounded “Last Post" and “Reveille.”

Yesterday afternoon more than 800 men paraded at the King Edward Barracks, and, headed by the First Canterbury Regimental Band, marched to the Cathedral grounds, where a wreath was placed on the War Memorial. A short service was held by the Very Rev. A. K. Warren, Dean of Christchurch, and Mr Blamires. Visitors were afterwards entertained by sub-branches of the Returned Services’ Association. The reunion celebrations will be continued to-day. when Requiem Mass will be said at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, when the celebrant will be the Rev. F. S. Bartley. S.M.. and the preacher the Rev. A. McDonald. S.M., chaplain with the forces. An informal gathering will then be held at the Show Grounds. To-day is the anniversary of the sailing of the Main Body.