ANNUAL REUNION

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 227, 22 June 1936, Page 16

ANNUAL REUNION

Thirteenth Battery, N.Z.E.F.

Members of the 13th Battery, N.Z.E.F., came from all parts of New Zealand at the week-end to show by their attendance at the annual reunion that their loyalty to the battery and their comrades was undiniinished 18 years after “cease fire” in the Great War. From 25 places—cities, towns and villages—in New Zealand came messages of goodwill from comrades who were unable to make the trip. One even sent £1 toward expenses. The battery was first formed on March 3, 1916, and was the first individual unit to hold a reunion in New Zealand. Major T. Farr, commanding officer of the battery for the greater part of its wartime existence, was the guest of honour. His name was coupled with the principal toast, that of “The 13th Battery,” proposed by Colonel R. McQuarrie, who was officer commanding the Third Brigade. “You won’t feel at all jealous when I say that Major Farr was the battery,” said Colonel McQuarrie. “A battery is said to be the reflection of its commanding officer and the 13th was known as ‘Tommy Farr’s outfit’,” Major Farr had looked after his men, officers, horses, equipment and his footballers, and always got good results,’ said Colonel McQuarrie. z Seconding the toast, Sergeant V. Davey (Motueka) said Major Farr never asked a man to go where he would not go himself. Colonel McQuarrie was always up in the line, said Major Farr in response. The flattery never had a colonel who would come so far forward and see the dangers his men experienced and what they were doing until it got Colonel McQuarrie. Major Farr took his hearers through the various stages and experiences of the 13th Battery from its inception to when he left it to return to New Zealand. Those of them who went from Gallipoli to France found it “nice fighting” compared to Gallipoli, he said. Although the 13th took part in every engagement it had fewer casualties and won more decorations than any other battery, Major Farr concluded. “The New Zealand Field Artillery, coupled with the name of Colonel McQuarrie, was proposed by Sergeant V. Davey, and responded to by Colonel McQuarrie. “The Returned Soldiers' Association” was proposed by Gunner T. Crankshaw and responded to by Major Clark and Gunner J. Canty. A gunner who came * from Timaru to attend the reunion showed a motion picture of the French battlefields, particularly those sectors where the 13th Battery was in action. One interesting though sad touch was the showing of the grave of, the first member of the battery to be killed in action in France.

Yesterday a picnic held at Messrs. Horrobin’s farm at Ohariu Valley crowned the success of the reunion. Mr. J. J. Kean, of the 13th Battery, was secretary of the organising committee.