WAR MEMORIES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 36, 11 August 1930, Page 3

WAR MEMORIES

MEDICAL COUPS

REUNION OF MEMBERS

The first annual reunion of the combined New Zealand Medical Corps which did service in the Great War was held at the E.S.A. rooms on Saturday evening. There were about 170 members present, representing the field ambulance, the hospital corps, and personnel of hospital ships. Dr. Frazcrhurst, of Auckland, presided.

A tribute of respect to tho memory of "Fallen. Comrades" was paicl by the company standing in silence. Then follow6d'- the singing of tho "Requiem" by Mr. Coe, and the sounding of tho "Last Post" aud "Reveille" by Staff-Sergt.-Major Baker. In a short address the chairman eulogised the work of the medical corps, which, he said, had won universal admiration.

Tho toast "The Services" was proposed by Mr. F. Campbell, who gavo some interesting reminiscences of life during the great struggle, especially as it affected the medical services. Colonel Burgess, in the absence of Major-General Young, responded, and emphasised . the essential assistance rendered by the medical corps. '' Absent Friends'' was given by Mr. E. M. Finlayson. Speaking to tho toast. "The N.Z.M.C.," Father Segriof said he had seen a great deal of the work of the medical corps in" Samoa, on hospital ships, in Egypt, and in the four field ambulances in France, and he bore testimony "to the high standard of efficiency maintained by the corps. The corps was officered by medical men highly qualified in. their profession, who were assisted by enthusiastic young men who were very thorough in the discharge of- their duties. The number of casualties was proportionately high, and the work of individual members was of outstanding merit. The medical corps assisted materially in maintaining the morale of the- New Zealand Division, especially as the war progressed. The corps was splendidly organised and equipped, and its members most self-sacrificing in. the performance of their work. The speaker instanced the outstanding service they rendered on the eve of the- second battle of Pasehendaele, at a most critical juncture. The response was made by Sir Donald M' Gavin. _ Replying to the toast the "K.b.A., proposed by Mr. Dunbar Sloane, Colonel Avery urged all returned soldiers to join the U.S.A., for at no - time, he said, sinco tho war was assistance more required to numbers of returned men, injured during active service, than at present. During 'tho-. evening a number oi enjoyable musical items, arranged by Mr P. Bareham, were given. An interesting and enjoyable reunion was brought to a close by tho singing oi tho National Anthem.