LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

Evening Star, Issue 23145, 20 December 1938, Page 13

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

ANNUAL REUNION The sixth annual reunion of R (Otago) Squadron, Legion of Frontiersmen was held on Saturday evening. There was a good attendance of members, presided over by Frontiersman H. Davidson, and present were representatives of the R.N.V.R., New Zealand Medical Corps, the Territorial Association of Otago, the Returned Soldiers’ Association, the South African Veteran’s Association, St. John Ambulance Brigade, and the Timaru troop of the Legion. The officer commanding (Captain Beck) welcomed the visitors and explained that the legion was a patriotic body, non-political, non-sectarian, and standing four-square for the British Empire. The toast of “ The Nine Thousand,” in honour of frontiersmen who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War was proposed by Chaplain-Captain L. D. C. Groves, after which Lieutenant Napier sounded ‘ Last Post ’ and ‘ Reveille.’ Captain P. A. Warren, representing New Zealand Headquarters, Palmerston North, conveyed greetings from the commandant, and in proposing the toast “ Navy, Army, Air Force, and Kindred Services,” paid tribute to the nursing sisters and members of the British Secret Service. _ The Empire had certain traditions which must be upheld if the liberty now enjoyed was to be passed on. Frontiersmen were volunteers, and took an oath of allegiance to His Majesty _ the King. ‘R ” Squadron was doing a great deal to uphold legion traditions in the South Island and would continue in obedience, unity, and comradeship. The legion uniform earned the respect of the community, for it marked men who had done good work for the Empire. The badge of the legion was the mark of the man who was giving his services free. The legion considered that if a country was worth living in, it was

worth serving. In replying, on behalf of the Navy, Commander F. Fraser_ stated that the senior service still maintained its title of the Silent Service. The men of the Navy were doing their work and that was all there was in it. It was gratifying to know that the Navy s position to-day was better than for some years past. A strong Navy ' va . s a form of insurance for New Zealand, and it was to be hoped that in the near future New Zealand’s naval defences would be strengthened. Commander Fraser spoke of the good work being done by the newly formed Navy League Sea Caedts and said that these boys were being trained to be good, true, and loyal citizens. Like the legion, their aim was to develop loyalty and discipline amongst the younger generation. . j Colonel Jeffrey, in conveying good wishes from the Territorial Association, said that many people did not appear to realise the serious position or the Empire at the present time. While emphasising the importance or the Navv and the Air Force, he considered that the building up of trained land forces was of primary importance. Colonel Jeffrey spoke of the co-opera-tion given by the legion during the Coronation Week military operations, and said that this had gained the highest respect of the younger men in the Territorials. The speaker, however, considered that only bv compulsory military training could the position in New Zealand bo improved to-day. jn August. 1914. New Zealand had 20-000 000 trained and well-equipped men m

the land forces. The legion was preserving and keeping alive the best military traditions of New Zealand. Colonel R. Fulton expressed appreciation of the references to the work of the nursing sisters, and reminded his listeners that the work of a casualty clearing station could not be carried on without the help of the sisters. Ho believed that under modern _ cbnditions a war would not bo a “ quick show,” but what would count would be the lasting power, steadiness, and discipline. In response to the toast “ New Zealand Headquarters, Legion of Frontiersmen,” Colonel Mitchell expressed appreciation of the assistance given by Lieutenant A. Klee, the adjutant, and also appreciation of the kindly interest taken in the legion by civic and military authorities during the past year. Colonel Mitchell spoke of the air raid precaution training being _ carried out by the legion in co-operation with the St. John Ambulance Brigade. _ This work had the approval of the Minister of Defence. The speaker announced that a handsome shield had been presented to the South Island for conipetition between troops. The first competition would be held _in Timaru at Easter, and would be judged on discipline, turn out, drill, and shooting. A shooting prize was presented to Frontiersman James, and an all-round efficiency trophy to Frontiersman B. Phelan. During tfie evening items were rendered by Messrs Arthur Macdonald, Pollock, and P. Marshall. On Sunday morning _ the squadron and visitors attended Divine service at St. Paul’s Cathedral at 10 a.m., when a suitable service was conducted by the chaplain (the Rev. L. D. C. Groves), the music being played by the cathedral organist, Mr E._ Heywood. Later a wreaiji was deposited at the Cenotaph.