REGIMENTAL REUNION

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27731, 8 August 1955, Page 7

REGIMENTAL REUNION

CANTERBURY MOUNTED RIFLES

Former servicemen from many parts of New Zealand gathered in the Jellicoe Hall on Friday to attend the thirty-sixth annual reunion of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment. Many Gallipoli veterans were among the 150 who attended. Held since 1919 on the eve of the Grand National meeting, the reunion has frequently attracted visitors from among former servicemen living in South Africa, Singapore, Kenya, Australia, and Canada. Friday’s gathering included representatives from Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, South Canterbury, and Nelson. Among those present were Mr Robin Harper, who was awarded the D.C.M. while in the ranks and the D.S.O. and M.C. when commissioned, Mr Douglas Deans, Mr J. Woodhouse, and Mr George Reid (Rotherham), who presided.

The toast list was:—“The Queen,” Mr Reid; “Absent Comrades,” Mr Reid, response the Rev. A. L. Blamires; “The Regiment,” Archdeacon W. W. Averill, response Mr D. S. Murchison; “The Services,” Mr Murchison, response Brigadier J. T. Burrows; “The R.5.A.,” Mr G. Morgan, response Mr S Coleman, vice-president of the Christchurch R.S.A. Guests of honour were Archdeacon Averill, formerly of the Auckland Regiment of the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade, and Brigadier Burrows, commander of the Southern Military District.

Last Post” and “Reveille” were sounded by trumpeters from the Christchurch West High School. The chairman of the reunion committee was Mr P. C. Davies, and the secretary Mr A. Johnstone. The Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regi■knent was the only unit to go through the 1914-18 War under the same commanding officer, the late Colonel J. Findlay. Noted for the" part played at Gallipoli, the Canterbury Motmted Rifles was one of three regiments which formed the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade commanded by MajorGeneral Sir Edward Chaytor. Its three squadrons included the historic Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, the oldest mounted unit in New Zealand, formed in 1864, and squadrons from Nelson and South Canterbury.