EX-SOLDIERS FOR SYDNEY

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 April 1938, Page 3

EX-SOLDIERS FOR SYDNEY

AUCKLAND SEND-OFF SCENES. [PER PKESB ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, April 18. Old scenes were re-enacted and wardime memories recaptured at the I Auckland railway station to-night. I when more than 250 returned soldiers licit by special train for Wellington to join the Monowai and Maunganui, which have been chartered to take more than 1000 returned men to Sydney. where they are to take part in Anzac Day celebrations with returned soldiers and sailors of the Imperial League of Australia. A former service bugler, A. AV. V. McGuire, sounded tho Reveille.

As more than 1000 people on the platform hade farewell to the cheering travellers, the spectacle resembled those seen in Auckland 2.0 or more years ago when troop trains left for the south. Half an hour before the train, which consisted of 11 carriages, left at 8.15 p.m.. the full contingent was assembled on the platform, and the remaining time was occupied l in enthusiastic farewells and the lusty singing of some of the famous songs of 1914. The full range of army calls, from tho order to fall in to tho traditional warning to defaulters, was played, and finally as- the passengers embarked, the lingering notes of the Reveille were heard. The din rose to a/ crescendo as the train moved off, tho men leaning precariously from windows and platforms to wave to companions on the station. Several clutched bouquets of vegetables, and others were festooned' with streamers ibrown io them by friends and spectators.

Shortly before the departure of the train, the Mayor (Sir Ernest Davis') addressed the delegation, extending to the members best, wishes' for a pleasant voyage, a happy reunion' with their former comrades in New South' AVales, ami a safe return to their homes after tho celebrations.

“Through appropriate channels, it is my intention to extend an invitation to New’ South AVales returned soldiers to' pay a return visit to Auckland during our centennial celebrations in 1940,” Sir Ernest Davis added. “That will afford us an opportunity of repaying the hospitality which I am sure you will receive in Australia.”

In addition to members of th'fe party from the Auckland district, many men arrived in the city from AVhangarei to join the train, ami others from Hamilton. Rotorua, and Say of Plenty districts assembled at Frankton Junction.