“DINKUM SOLDIERS”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20275, 17 June 1940, Page 8

“DINKUM SOLDIERS”

N.Z.R.B. VETERANS ANNUAL REUNION HELD TRIBUTE TO THE FORCES Veterans of ffie New Zealand Rifle Brigade, known during their service days as “Dinkum soldiers,” renewed old associations when they met on Saturday night for their annual reunion and dinner. • The attendance comprised about 50 veterans of the brigade, including a number from Nuhaka and Wairoa, and a sheaf of messages was received from “Dinks” who were unable to attend, and who forwarded their good wishes to old comrades. The senders included Messrs. F. R. Rendcll, 11. Carleton Williams, and A. J. Shackleton.

Mr. E. Harris, president of the Gis-borne-East Coast branch of the Rifle Brigade Veterrns’ Association, presided at i.he gathering, and a rum issue sent the troops oyer the top in the right spirit. Greetings were received by telegram from the Auckland branch of the association, and also from the Gisborne branch of the Gallipoli Association. Through the courtesy of station 2ZM, greetings wdre dispatched from the gathering to all ex-servicemen side in hospitals or in their homes.

The toast list was short, but the items were important. The chairman proposed the toast to the King, with which the proceedings opened, and that of the “New Zealand Rifle Brigade” was proposed by Mr. C. Jackson, vice- president of the branch. He included an old rifleman’s tribute to all units of the rifle brigades fighting on the Western Front. “Eow-Boat Heroes” of Dunkirk Mr. E. Woodrow made a brief but telling speech in honour of the toast of “Fallen Comrades,” in connection with which the "Last Post” was sounded by Buglers H. Owen, Gilbert and Mclntosh, the last-named pair being pupils of Bugler Owen. Mr. P. Hdckley gave an effective rendering of the "Requiem.” To Mr. C. J. Harvey was entrusted the toast to Britain’s fighting forces, and the speaker deal; in a deeply interesting manner with the efforts now being made to cope with the enemy threats to France and England. The lighting forces of the Empire could no longer be considered to be the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, Mr. Harvey pointed out, for it hat become rn all-in struggle in which the uniformed forces naa to have the closest support and co-operation oi people who in earlier wars had been regarded as noncombatants. The merchant marine and the yachtsmen 01 Britain, who had taken part in the evacuation of Dunkirk, had played a great part in robbing Herr Hitler ol the victory he had aimed at, and in enabling Britain and her* chief ally, France, to continue the struggle with a jeertainty of final victory. The Spirit That Wins Wars What had happened at Dunkirk, said Mr. Harvey, had shown that the British people could meet any challenge, even when the odds seemed hopelessly against them. It was the spirit which would Win the war regardless of any temporary setbacks the Empire might experience. Mr. Harvey’s reference to the Dunkirk evacuation as a masterpiece ol defensive strategy, forced upon the British by the defection of the Belgian arrny commanded by their King, was greeted with resounding applause, as also was his use of the term “row-boai heroes” in describing those who assisted in the evacuation. The gathering was well entertained during the evening, Mr. Cliff Smellie playing several selections on the pianoacdordion, Mr. C. Tallant, Wairoa, Mr. J. Lyle, and Mr. H. Lowe also taking part in the programme. Among the reminiscences which proved highly interesting was an original incident from Armentieres, related by Mr. Val Brown, of Wairoa. The gathering dispersed at a late hour, after having passed votes of thanks to the artists, and to the management of Le Grand Cafe for the excellent catering arrangements.