SOLDIERS’ REUNION

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 41, 12 November 1936, Page 12

SOLDIERS’ REUNION

Canterbury Regiment

Alembers of the Canterbury Regiment, N.Z.E.F., held their first reunion in Wellington last night. The organisers hojie that tlie reunion will not be the last, and during tlie night a roll-call was held so that those who gathered hist night will not lose touch with one another.

After Hie reunion had been arranged it was discovered that Hie Christchurch members were holding a reunion on the same night Tlie following telegram was received from ’Jr. G. Burgess, secretary of the Canterbury Alain Body reunion :— "Canterbury Infantry, 1914, holding reunion to-night, semi heartiest greetigs. Be with you in thought 9 o'clock to-uiglit. Best wishes from Alain Body boys. Christchurch.” 'The following reply was sent: —"To o ur good companions: We of the Canterbury Regiment, assembled iu Wellington" to celebrate Armistice Day. semi warmest greetings to the South Island portio not' tbe regiment gathered in Christchurch. At 9 o'clock we will drink your very good health with musical honours and the health of all others of the regiment. .May you all live long and prosper. Ake! Ake! Ake!" The arrangement to drink a toast simultaneously was adhered to.

The regiment’s first chaplain, the Rev. T. Fielden Taylor, arrived during Hie night and was given an enthusiastic reception, lit' addressed his former comrades. * The toast of the regiment was pro-< posed by Mr. D. Al. Robertson. . who recalled (hat it was Hie eldest military unit in New Zealand, although to’his hearers its beginning was in UH I. He spoke warmly of the memory of Colonel D. M Stewart, who. he said, moulded the unit but was not spnri'd to command it foi' more than two hours alter the binding on Gallipoli. Tlie speaker said the standards ami traditions of tlie past would be carried on in the future.

Colonel J. G. Hughes, who presided, responded to the toast, telling of some of tlie historic events at the Dardanelles as thev were experienced by him. Air. W. E Wakelyn presented to Colonel Hughes a silver spoon that had been "souvenired" from the formers mess in tlie Lutzow. the commandeered German liner that carried part of the regiment to Gallipoli. Although many souvenirs of Hie kind were kept by Hie mefi. they are now rare prizes.

The health of the artists was pro posed by Mr. A. W. Wellstead and responded" t,, In Mr. A. F. Outtrini. 'rhe entertainers were Alessrs. F. C. Cree. T. S. rhilpott and Outtrini.