ROUSING SEND-OFF

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20135, 3 January 1940, Page 8

ROUSING SEND-OFF

CHRISTCHURCH MEN EX-SOLDIERS’ GUARD CROWD’S MOVING SINGING (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The span of years between two wars was bridged to-day when 500 veterans of 1914-18 formed a guard of honour for the Burnham-trained section of the First Echelon of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force which marched through the city streets. It was the city’s farewell to the troops. Not for very many years—in fact since the days of 1914-18—has Christchurch seen so impressive an occasion. More than 2000 troops marched to Cranmer Square past the saluting base where 'Colonel P. H. Bell took the salute. Christchurch, it appeared, was there to a man, woman and child. Thousands lined the route from the railway station and back while the crowd at Cranmer Square was estimated at well over 10,000. Dramatic Moment After speeches when the city said its official God-speed through its representatives, the most moving moment of the day came with the singing by the huge crowd to the massed band accompaniment of the National Anthem and “Auld Lang Syne.” The troops marched in drill order. They looked a thoroughly businesslike army and moved steadily, holding themselves with soldierly erectness and pride. On arrival at Cranmer Square there was a roar of cheering followed by an equally enthusiastic reception of the returned men who took up their positions facing the troops. In the front row on the platform, in addition to Colonel Bell, were the Mayor, Mr. R. M. Macfarlane, the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, the president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr. A. B. fiaynes, Bishop West-Watson, Bishop Brodie, members of the Legislative Council, members of Parliament and the Mayoi's of the Canterbury boroughs.

AUCKLAND CEREMONY 2000 MEN PARTICIPATE THRONGS CHEER TROOPS (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. In brilliant sunshine, soldiers of the Special Force numbering over 2000 from Hopuhopu, Papakura and Ngaruawahia camps paraded at the Domain to-day in the presence of over 6000 citizens, and afterwards marched back to the railway station through densely lined streets. After their arrival by trains early in the forenoon the soldiers marched by a short route to the Domain headed by military bands and,_as the respective units formed up on parade at the Domain they were greeted by rounds of warm applause. These included a unit that is purely Auckland’s, the 18th Auckland Infantry Battalion. So well had they been trained that it was almost impossible to believe that only three months had passed since they set out to become soldiers. The parade was commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Parkinson. The magnificent arms drill of the men as they accorded Colonel Weir a general salute brought enthusiastic applause.

Addresses were given by Colonel Weir, Sir Ernest Davis, the Mayor, and the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, representing the Government. At the call of the Mayor, three rousing cheers were given by the crowd for the soldiers.

Crowds of civilians five and six deep lined the streets as the men marched back. Queen street was thickly thronged, and warm and hearty cheering was displayed and almost every soldier appeared to have friends in the crowd. Crowd’s Enthusiasm “I hope you will not have to fight long dr?d' that you will end the fear, suspense and suspicion that have made life intolerable,” said Mr. Nash, in the course of a farewell speech. “I hope your determination will last and that there will soon be peace and liberty for all the peoples of the world and that you will come back safely to us to continue to build for the future.’ Particularly enthusiastic was the scene at the Town Hall, where during the march past on the way back to the station the salute was taken by Colonel Weir. Sir Ernest Davis and Mr. Nash. Thousands had been waiting in Queen street fbr over an hour, work in the city being at a standstill, the upper windows and verandahs being crowded At the corner of Queen and Customs streets, the crowd took up the tune played by the band, “It’s a Long Way to Tiperrary” and broke from that into “Hullo, Hullo, Whose Your Lady Friend.” Auckland gave a rousing farewell to the smartly turned out soldiers.