Soldiers Honored.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLIX, Issue 2583, 29 July 1918, Page 5

Soldiers Honored.

AT LOWBURN. The second function at L'owburn, to do honor to several more of the district's young m< n who have lately returned from aelive service, was held on Friday evening. As far as the organisation of the committee was concerned the arrangements were ideal. Beyond that a'l the attendant circumstanced over which the com mittee had not control—weather, etc. were also favorable Above all, residents of Lowburn and all surrounding districts rolled up "to a man " : enthusiasm was the keynote, and the function was as successful as it was appropriate. The hall was packed to the dcots and the assemblage was considered the largest ever gathered in the building. Finance is evidently a secondary eon sideration with the committee, whoaim solely at a representative function,. as the entertainment was free—a very commendable spirit —and they certainly succeeded. The opening- part, of the function was devoted to a conceit programme, during which the chairman (Mr 1). Middleton) presided. The proceedings opened with the National Anthem, and thereafter a splendid programme of musical and instrumental items was .disposed of, Cromwell's leading talent lending valuable assistance. Those who assisted in this were :—Misses McFelin. L. and F. McDonald, and Prcece, Messrs Yeoman and L. Jolly, D. Jolly, Rev. Rankin, and Christie, and Nurse Morris. Misses Peri iam and McDonald acting as accompanists for the musical items, the dancing being accompanied by Mr J. McPherscn, with the hagpipes. All the items were well received, and hearty encores were readily responded to by the per formers. The soldiers whom it was intended to honor were Corp. G. Mills, Privs R. Mil's, J. McPherson, R. Fitzgeraldi and W. Phillips. Unfortunately the two latter were unable to attend, and wrote thanking the committee for their kind invitation. At the conclusion of the concert pro gramme, the three soldiers present were assembled on tin; stage, where the chairman handed to each a handsome inscribed £old medal in appro ciation of their services to the Empire. In doing so his remarks were brief and to the point. lie thanked the large audience for attending to give the boys a fittiug welcome. The residents were glad to have them back, and regretted that there were some who would never return. Not only had they fought for those assembled, but for the Dominion • and the Empire, and now they had returned they deserved the best that could be extended to them. He congratulated the parents on the return of their worthy sons, and trusted that the boys would now enjoy happiness and prosperity. The presentation of each medal was greeted with ringing cheers and musical honors. Rev. Rankin supported the chairman in publicly thanking the boys. He stressed the necessity of tending to the needs of the soldiers, not only at present, but in years to come, to a degree that their services would not be forgotten. Another matter he regretted was the controversy anent the fighting qualities of the Dominion and Home soldiers. All were fighting in the one great cause, to the utmost of their ability, for their homes and loved ones, and the honor of the nation, and would go on, if need be, not only to the Maine,, as was recorded last week, but to the Rhine- He thanked the boys sincerely for the part they had played, and congratulated them- on their safe return, Corp. G. Mills briefly replied on behalf of himself and comrades. Mr Moodie extended the thanks of the committee to those who had assisted in the concert programme, particularly the Cromwell visitors, and specially mentioned Mr L. Jolly, who has his services to the committee, but was now due to go to camp in a few weeks time. The motion was canied by acclamation. The ladies then took charge and essayed the task of treating the big audience to supper. A bevy of energetic ladies soon had this work well in hand, and even then failed to exhaust the supply of delicacies. In this department the ladjes were very successful. Shortly before midnight the hall was cleared for dancing, which proceeded merrily into the small hours, concluding a successful and memorable function. Excellent music was provided by Mr F. Partridge, with Mr J. Baker in the capacity of M.C. A large number of returned soldiers accepted the committee's invitation, and the boys, in small groups here and there, spent some happy moments relating incidents of more strenuous times.