CAPTURE OF SAMOA

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 50, 27 August 1937, Page 8

CAPTURE OF SAMOA

WAR ANNIVERSARY

The stirring days of 1914 are recalled by the fact that on Sunday next, the 29th, falls the anniversary of the occupation of the German Islands of Western Samoa by the Advance Party of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. This party, which was the first body of troops to leave-New Zealand for service in the Great War, numbered approximately 1500, and was mobilised and equipped in a remarkably short time, being ready for sea within a week after the declaration of war, and departing from Wellington on the morning of August 15; 1914. The majority of these troops were recruited from Wellington, but a considerable number came from Auckland and other parts of New Zealand, and their assembly and departure, was attended by much excitement and, since the destination of the expedition was a close secret, considerable speculation as to where the troops were being sent. When they cleared Wellington harbour in the troopships Moeraki > and Monowai, not even the men themselves, let alone their relatives and friends. left behind, knew to what part of the world this great adventure was taking them. It was not until d fortnight afterwards that the people of the Dominion received the news that the expedition had landed at Apia and had taken possession of .the important German outpost of Western Samoa, which it occupied until relieved eight months later. The Advance Party was returned to New Zealand -and the majority of its members saw further service in other theatres of the war. Exacting though the sojourn in Samoa was, and although the members of the expedition later were distributed'throughout the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and even the Imperial Forces, in every field, where the Empire was engaged, they retain considerable pride in their association with the original body. Every year on a date approximating that of the landing in Samoa the members of the party hold a reunion in Wellington and this is always a notable gathering, some of the men travelling ,long. distances to attend. This year's function, of . which Mr. J. H. McKay will be chairman, is being held in the Dominion Farmers' Institute on" Saturday evening, apd indications are that this. ,the seventeenth to be celebrated, will draw a larger attendance than'any. of its predecessors.