"THE THIRTEENTH"

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 129, 3 June 1935, Page 13

"THE THIRTEENTH"

BATTERY REUNION

OLD COMRADES MEET

Between fifty and sixty members of the 13th Battery, known to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force as "The Devil's Own," gathered in Wellington on Saturday for the annual reunion of battery members. When on active service the battery numbered about 200 men, and as its members were drawn from all parts of New Zealand, boch Islands from Auckland to Invercargill were represented. The reunion was commenced with a dinner at which old friendships were renewed and experience of the past year exchanged. After the loyal toast had been honoured, officers, non-com-missioned officers, and men settled down to an evening of song and story. A short toast list was honoured, songs sung, and Army choruses repeated, but the greater part of the evening was spent in exchanging reminiscences. Major W. E. Orsborn presided and referred to the days of the war. It was good to look back sometimes, he said, and remember the staunch comradeship and fortitude. They did aoz like to remember the war, but tha fellowship that existed. It was good toi know that the friendships made on active service still existed. The battery reunion was the reunion of a family and the 13th Battery had been a good family with a good father. (Applause.) The battery had won renown both in the artillery and the Expeditionary Force, and much of that credit was due to Major T. Farr, D.5.0., M.C. Everyone in the battery helped to make it famous, even the mules and Cape carts doing their share. (Laughter.) Nearly twenty years had passed since the days of the war, but it appeared as if the "Diggers" were more consolidated than ever. That was as it should be and -when they were together they should remember those who had crossed the Great Divide. As a mark of respect to their memory he asked for a short period of silence. After this had been observed Major Orsborn proposed the toast of "Absent Comrades."

Mr. F. Wilson proposed the "13th Battery." The battery, he said, was| proud of its number and the name "Devil's Own." It was the pride of the line, and that was largely because of its O.C.—Major Farr. If there had not been a 13th Battery A voice: The war would never have finished. (Laughter.) If there had not been a 13th Battery, said Mr. Wilson, there would not have been such a reunion, and if it had not been for the way Major Fanlooked after them many would not have been there. (Applause.) Mr. Wilson went on to refer to the work Major Farr had done for getting pensions for battery members. Major Farr, who was received with warm applause, referred feelingly to the days he had spent with the battery in France. The battery was too ready, he said, to put all the credit on to the major, but he believed the battery's fame came from the ranks. It was extremely pleasing to see so many present and to see faces that had not been there in previous years. Continuing, the major referred to incidents in the battery's career, causing particular amusement by telling the secret of a successful inspection shoot when the range' was paced off the night before the practice took place. M. Rene Roi, a French resident of Wellington, spoke briefly to the battery and said his sister b.ad been in France last year and had met M. Laval, who had referred to the 13th Battery and had expressed the hope that they would be ."long lived. He also said that if any members of the battery were in France he would be glad to see them. (Applause.) "The R.S.A." was proposed by Mr. C. Whitehouse, who said that - they should all be proud of the R.S.A. because to be a member of that associa tion a man had to serve his King and Country. He referred to the work of the R.S.A. and said that while more returned soldiers were joining their association, still more were nonmembers.

Mr. J. Canty, replying to the toast, referred to the proposed War Veterans Allowances Bill and said the returned soldiers of New Zealand should combine to get the pensions their worn-out comrades heeded. Mr. W. Sanderson supported Mr. Canty's remarks. "The Press" was proposed by My. T. Jamieson.

On Sunday the reunion was continued with a picnic at Oharui Valley and on the picnic ground a German gun, captured by the 13th Battery and turned on the enemy at the Somme, was proudly displayed.