WAR VETERANS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12901, 30 June 1936, Page 2

WAR VETERANS

WELLINGTON INEAXTR Y REGIMENT. ANNUAL REUNION IN '■ GISBORNE. The annual reunion of war veterans of the Wellington Infantry Regiment was hold in the Le Grand room i.n Saturday evening, visitors from outside districts being also present, in addition to a contingent from the Coast. Air. P. Gordon presided. Keen regret was expressed at' the absence through illness of Colonel R. F. Gainbrill, president of the regimen tal association, and the non-attend anoe of Air. A. H. Lange through the same cause. Several veterans of the regiment, who were absent from the district sent their good wishes, and a number of other messages were recsiv od, conveying fraternal greetings from oth .4t' un\ associations including tho Wellington Mounted Rifles’ Association in Gisborne.

In proposing the toast of “Fallen Comrades,” Air. .W. James, in an impressive address, referred to the regi merit's rod of 2193 men who had given their lives in the Great War as members of the unit, and reminded bis' hearers that this sacrifice was for the pence of the world, and not for aggrandisement of Ne\v Zealand or tho Empire. On those who had return cd to take up their civil life again, as to- those who had not been called upon to serve abroad, there lay a duty and an obligation- to maintain the memory of 'the illustrious dead. This obligation was particularly urgent at the present time, when the sacrifices of the Great War seemed likely to be _ overshadowed by other issues. 1 The speaker mentioned some of the outstanding figures in the regiment during the war' and- referred in particular to the work of Colonel “Holly” Afalond; who took over the Wellington Infantry Regiment during the period of (training in Egypt,- anil established for it a tradition which carried on after the gallant Malone’s death at the summit of jChunuJc Bair, in the August'-offensive on Gallipoli peninsula. Tho toast was honoured by tlngathering with, a full two minuter,’ silence,' and the sounding of the “Last Post” and “Reveille.”

Other toasts proposed in the course of the evening comprised theloyal toast, given by the chairman, and that of “The Regiment,’ also proposed'by Air. P. Gordon, and responded to by Air. Gordon Roach, Hastings; “Returned Soldiers’ Assoproposed by Mr. C. H, Robinson and responded to by' Mr. C\ A . Harries, for the' Gisborne district executive, Mr: N. Wilson, for the Tolaga Bay sub-association, arid Mr. N-.ri 'll. Harding, ■ for the 1 Motu-Mafawai subassociatiori; “Nursing Service and Women’s Auxiliary Services,’’ proposed ! by Afr. G. Pocock; “The Entertain ers,” proposed by Mr. G. B. Carter, and' responded to by Mcs» s R. Mich olspn and F. Corbin : and “The Secretary,” proposed by the chairman and responded to by Air. G. B. Carter.

Much of the success of the tion was due to the excellent organisation carried out by a eominittee ct the veterans and the chairman gave chief credit to Air. Carter, whose activities as secretary, lie said, were invaluable. :