GUIDES AND GUARDS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 42, 17 August 1935, Page 18

GUIDES AND GUARDS

CARE OF SOLDIERS' GRAVES

APPRECIATION OF WORK.

A happy gathering of Girl Guides and Salvation Army Girl Guards took place at the Rechabites Hall last evening at the invitation of the Women's National Reserve (Graves Division). It was the annual social given the girls by the committee in appreciation of the splendid work done by them throughout the year in connection with the soldiers' and sailors' graves at Karori, which now number many hundreds. This work has progressed so thoroughly that all records are now complete and every' soldier's grave throughout the cemetery hasnow been located and marked-on ;a map, which will be kept up to >date-from now on and the graves cared for. "Most of the credit for this thorough is due to Miss, Belli and-; Miss Drummond, of the Girl: Guides,1: who have worked on the scheme Vfor many months under the guidance and help of Mr.-T. L. Barker, sexton at Karori. Members of the Women's National Reserve committee present were Mrs. L. O. H. Tripp (president), Miss E. M. Black, Miss J. Barker, Miss G. Cook, and Miss' E. Miller (hon. secretary), Captain J. S. Spence (representing the Returned Soldiers' Association), Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Barker, and Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter. "GREAT DIFFICULTIES OVERCOME." Mrs. Tripp welcomed the girls and their officers, and expressed to them the thanks of the Women's National Reserve for the fine work they were doing in the care of the soldiers' graves. Miss Black also expressed appreciation and said it was only those who had been over the ground and realised the difficulties that" had been overcome, who could fully appreciate the work accomplished. This splendid example of the Guides had attracted attention, and interest from other parts

of New, Zealand. It looked hopeful that this good work would extend throughout the Dominion and that every soldiers' grave in all cemeteries would eventually receive individual care. Re-~ ference was 'also made to the good work previously done by Mrs, A. E. Neilson in the care of the graves. Captain J. S. Spence said it was difficult to express the great appreciation of.the returned soldiers for the girls' work. So many' of the men who had passed on were without kith or kin and it was a wonderful feeling to know that their service to King and country was so far appreciated that their last resting places wouldl always be cared for by the generations "of Girl Guides and Girl Guards still to come. "It was sometimes said that the younger generation did not care, but these girls were proving that they did care and the returned men were grateful for it. Mr. Barker also spoke in high praise of the, work done and quoted a recent case where some uncared graves had been tackled by a group of Guides and left in a condition creditable to any man. A programme of music, games, and competitions provided a lot of fun and enjoyment. Those who took part were Misses ■ Monica Williams, i Susie Bremner, Dulcie Dunn, Pat Ferguson, Edna Gray, Dorothy; Forrest, and' Gwen Taylor. Mrs. Gray and Miss Taylor acted as accompanists. A delicious supper was served.