C.Y.C. Holds Centennial Dinner

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30593, 9 November 1964, Page 1

C.Y.C. Holds Centennial Dinner

More than 300 former members of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry attended the centennial dinner of the regiment in the Addington Tea Kiosk on Saturday evening.

In his toast to the regiment the chief of staff of Southern Military District (LieutenantColonel R. J. Moor) said the Army of today looked upon the occasion of the Yeomanry Regiment’s centenary with pride and gratification. He said it was distressing that such illustrious honours as the regiment had won were no longer carried by a unit in being. This, he said, was the price of change—be it for better or worse.

Colonel Moor suggested there was at present in Canterbury a unit of the Army which had inherited the traditions of the divisional cavalry of World War Two. This was the Ist Reconnaissance Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps. He suggested it might be a fitting gesture on the occasion of its centenary for the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry to offer the hand of friendship to this modern unit.

Replying to the regimental toast Lieutenant-Colonel L. R. C. Macfarlane said the cavalry spirit continued. He urged those present never to forget the illustrious exploits of the past and to tell their children of them. . It was a sad thing that today young men did not seem interested in the Army —at least recruiting suggested

that they were not willing to join.

Guests were welcomed by Mr A. S. Farrar. They included the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr G. Manning), the commander of the United States Navy Antarctic support force (Rear-Admiral J. R. Reedy), and Colonel Moor representing the Chief of the General Staff (Major-General L. W. Thornton) who was unable to be present. A message of apology for absence was also received from the Governor-General (Sir Bernard Fergusson) who offered his congratulations on a magnificent 100 years history achieved in the best traditions of the cavalry. A wreath was laid at the Citizens’ War Memorial yesterday morning when 200 members of the Canterbury

Yeomanry Cavalry took part in a parade in Cathedral square.

The wreath was laid by Lieutenant-Colonel Macfarlane and Mr Farrar, chairman of the reunion committee. Derry’s Military Band, which used to be the regimental band, played during the ceremony, after which the regimental guidon was returned to Christchurch Cathedral.

A former chaplain of the regiment, the Rev. D. D. Thorpe, then conducted a special service in the Cathedral.