SOLDIERS’ REUNION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 80, 16 March 1933, Page 8

SOLDIERS’ REUNION

A SPLENDID GATHERING. OLD COMRADES MEET AGAIN* Hard times were put out of mind, and memories of happy days of comradeship put in their place, at last evening’s reunion of Hastings exservicemen. It was one of the bset reunions that the Hastings U.S.A, has held, and the Bandroom was only just large enough to hold the crowd that nt 'iided. It was a delightful occasion, and every soldier present must have felt once again that there is something good left in the world after all, when men of every sort of opinion, and in every state of circumstance, can meet in an unexpressed but very strong bond of common interest and sympathy. The real Digger spirit of the days that arc fading so fast into the background was present in all its intensity, and one was made to feel that there is at least one body of men in the world that arc all real comrades and really are bound together by bonds of the finest sentiment. It would have done many of the public a great deal of good to hear the tremendous and jolly singing of the choruses that were sung last night, and the R.S.A. committee might well consider holding their next reunion in some place where the public are more within earshot. It would be a tonic and an encouragement to many.

Colonel Holderness, who presided, urged the men to attend the reunions regularly, and to look upon them as occasions when troubles could be put into the background, at least for the moment, and the problems of the returned soldier, especially of those who were suffering from hard times, could he discussed and perhaps to some extent solved. There, were, after all, many things that the returned soldier could do to help his less fortunate brother, and the colonel outlined briefly a scheme for keeping in contact with returned soldiers living in the back country and experiencing hardship and difficulty.

After a short discussion of business, and the drinking of the toast of “The King, ’ which was lustily accompanied bv the singing of the National Anthem, the evening was spent in song and story, and splendid items were given by Mr \V. Burnett. Mr E. G. Stevenson. Mr F. S. Thomas, Mr Batt, Mr Naylor, Mr J. Brunton, Mr Laguerre, and Mr Bryant. The R.S.A. Orchestra, under Mr M Lord, was, however, the mainstay of the evening, and played a large number of items most excellently. The tit-bit of the programme was a splendidly rendered dramatic monologue dealing with the adventures of a Spaniard and given with magnificent force and acting ability by Colonel Holdreness. Few of those present could have suspected their president of being so talented an actor, but he went one better by singing for their delight a love song of London life, giving a rare beauty and meaning to every word of his touching song. The evening's proceedings included the drinking of the health of the South African veterans, several of whom were present, and a thoroughly enjoyable reunion came to an end shortly before midnight.

The thanks of the association were expressed by the chairman for gifts made by the following firms: Messrs Thompson, butchers. Davidson, butcher, Plowman and Sons. Roach’s Ltd. Knino and Fargher. butchers, W. C. Taylor, dairyman. D. Watts, baker, and R. B Schofield.