REUNION OF VETERANS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 136, 12 June 1930, Page 9

REUNION OF VETERANS

BOER WAR DAYS RECALLED

• The twenty-eighth reunion of members of the Sixth New Zealand Contingent which took part in the South African War of thirty years ago was held in Wellington., recently, when "Sixers" from all parts of the Dominion foregathered to recall incidents of the veldt and the campaign. Lieutenant-Colonel B. Bvatt, of Wellington, presided. Following the Royal toast, the secretary (Mr. E. Taylor) read correspondence and telegrams from old campaigners in other parts of the Dominion and Australia, wishing the function every success. The toast of "Fallen Comrades," proposed by the chairman, was honoured in Silence. The roll of "Sixers" who have fbuglit their last battle now contains the names of 118 officers, n.c.o.'s, and men. Several "Sixers" were present at the 1930 reunion for the first time, and mingled with their Sixth Contingent comrades on the first occasion for almost 30 years. Corporal C. J. Little, of Auckland, brought with him numerous photographs and snapshots of incidents on the veldt during the South African War. Not the least interesting of his exhibits was a copy of "The Cornwall Clipper," edited toy Captain (now Colonel) J. S. Purdy, being an account of the voyage of thes.s. Cornwall from AVellington to Sydney, via Auckland, with the Sixth Contingent, en route to Cape Town. The complement of the Cornwall was 560 rank and file. The officers were: LieutenantColonel Banks (in command), of Auckland; Captain A. W. Andrew (adjutant), Captain N. J. Markham, and Captain and Quartermaster D. Cosgrovo (Christchurch). Medical staff: Sur-geon-Major Sherman (Marton), Sur-geon-Captain J. S. Purdy (Wellington), Surgeon-Captain E. O'Neill (Dunedin); .Lieutenants A. B. Rose, of Wellington; M. H. J. Jones, of Canterbury; R. M. Williams, of Christchurch; F. B. Sykes, of Auckland; W. F. Wallis, of First Contingent; J. M. Mitchell, of First Contingent; F. A. Wood, of First Contingent; J. M'Donald, of First Contingent; W. C. Morrison, of First Contingent; C. Blenkhorn, of First Contingent. The First Contingent officers were returning for duty with the Sixth Contingent. The veterinary surgeon was Lieutenant M'Eachern, of Auckland.