REUNION SOCIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1935, Page 2

REUNION SOCIAL

TO GENERAL SIR ALEX GODLEY

TENDERED BY HOKITIKA R.S.A

The Hokitika Returned Soldie r s’ Association tendered a reunion soc'al at the Soldiers' Hall last evening to General Sir ( Alexander God'ley. There was 'a capital attendance, over 120 .being present land proceedings were of a very hearty and happy nature The proceedings were put on the air by 3ZR Greymouth up to 10.43 p.m- and afterwards (further toasts were honoured.During the evening songs were rendered by Messrs T. Stopfcrth and A-- El’erry, recitations by Mr Easter (Grey mouth) The accompaniments were played by Mr W. Lindsay. The Black ,Hand- Orchestra, supplier] in«;ad>3nb*l music and for the community singing

The chair was occupied by Mr W. E. B r own, president . of the Hokitika branch, of the.' R.S.A., with .the guest of honour on his left. Others present included Lieut. Col. W. Meldrum, Capt. Brooke, N.Z-'P.S. , Mr T. R. Chesterman (County Chairman), MeSsr s A. R. 'Elcock, T. W. Duff, H. M. Coulson and Dr Chflda. •proceedings opened with the Royal Toast. •

THE CHAIRMAN The Chairman said they had been gathered there that- evening for the purpose ot enabling returned soldiers to meet General .Godley under whom most, of them had served during the Great War. He took the opportunity of extending on behalf of the returned .soldiers and their wives fond relatives a very hearty welcome to the district to General Godley and Lady Godley. He trusted that their stay in this district would be an enjoyable one and that he would be able to visit many of their sawmills, mines land scenic b eau ties of the district. He was quite convinced that General Godley’s caree r a nd eminent .ability as la soldier and a commander had never bc e n questioned 'by those who had served under him. His name had come-out through the wa r as a 'tactician, and his name unlike many‘ of those in: high commands had never been tainted.

They also had present that night, a very oM friend in Brigadier General Meldrurn. His services during the war, and as Magistrate in this district, had en- : dea-red 'himself to all who dame in contact with him. They all knew the ; name he had been known by lu s ■ men at the front. “Fixed Bavonots Bi'l.’’ He was very gratified to have Mr Mel i drum at their gathering to-night. He ; had to apologise for the absence of the Mayor, Mr Perry who was in Akaroa, ' but welcomed the 'acting Mayor, Mr Elcock. There was also present Mr T. B. Cbesterman, a South African veteran and County Chairman. Mr T. W. _Duff, chairman of the Hospital' Board ; was present. An endeavour was 'being made in regard to the formation of an association f >r the purpose of hospital I fcv the si’m of 30s‘ner .year . the Creymouth Association. They hir* He welcomed Mr McK'ane, president of also broken.ground in inviting that evening the officers and non-coms of the local Territorial' force. He would like . to inform them that the returned soldiers stood behind them. In time of peviil they would find that they had to look to the Territorials for assistance. APol* , ogies were made for the absence of Mr J. O’Brien M.iP.,, Mr J. L. Meiizies vice-president and others. To all members who absent were listening in* and their patron, Mr D. J. Evans at Weheka and to all other friends be extended good wishes.

BRIG-GENERAL MELDRUM Br<g-General Melldnim proposed th e toast of “Our Guest.” In doing so he said it was with much pleasure he was present to make this toast. He had a considerable amount iof experience in -the territorials and in active service under their guest. He rememered his first impression iof a tall vigoiOus man, every inch a soldier. As time went on he felt moi'e respect and esteem )■,-cognising his great work on;1 efficiency The -.grp-t improvement in the territorials was due in no small measure to the system inaugurated under General Godley, and in seeing it through cr.d completing it. This had counted greatlv for the efficiency of the New Zealand forces when the time came for active service, in Egypt. &ml in the attack on Gallipoli. Gallipoli was no small job. Though practically it was not a success, tnetieallv it was, because though they did not get to Constantinople. they succeeded in holding the flower of the Turkish Army away from the Western Front. There was some wonderful work done on Qalilipoli. Much .of thyt work was due to the discipline that they had to work up till at was imparted by General Godley. No man was over quicker to. give praise when seme good work was done. Incidentally the speaker read an original note that he had received from General Godlev at Chunk Bair, congratulating him in his good wo"k the previous day Genera] Godley Was through GflUipoli •right to the evacuation. In spite of all the -hal'd, brilliant work that wn s done he was carrying on right to the bitter enl. A "‘tor the evacuation the mounted men went to the E’st and the infant’’- w r ->n 'n the West. Th-y knew of - the wonderful work of the Anzuc •Ccrps in France that was under Genem' Godley. He hid done great service to New Zealand. Since the war he had done great service with the r of occupation in Germany. Later he •’•as in rnnim-nd at Gibraltar. He was nowill retirement seeking that repose and rest that a great man is entitled to. We (returned soldiers were specially phased g,ud specially proud to fravg him with

us this night. It was a great privilege to have him with us to-night. We a lO all as we look back on what h a « happened,. justly proud of having stive-d under such >a distinguished commander as General Godley. He gave them the toast “Our Guest.” Honoured with enthusiasm.

GENERAL GODLEY

General Godley on rising received a wonderful reception. He said lie was ' going to exercise his command and have a . roll call. British service 5; South Africa 4, A.I.F. 2, Main Body 18, Gallipoli 18, Tunnellers 2, Machine gunners 12. He was glad to get that information. He had been very touched indeed that ‘so many had don e him the honour to come and se© him that night. He wished to say how honoured he had been by the representatives or public bodies coming |to greet hint that night. It was a great honour that his old friend General Meldrum had com© and proposed his toast and said so many nice things, 'many of which; were undeserved. He knew what they had said about him when on service. It was rather nice for them to come and say such nice things now. He had always looked 011 the men from Westland as a good hardy lot of fellows who did their work well, and who made splendid soldiers, whose worth was fully recognised during the progress of ijhe war. He was very glad to be back in Westland again after 23 years. General Meldrum had talked of Gallipoli. It was not altogether a picnic. If he wanted a walk there he had. to have a walk in the front trenches. The rule of the

, trenches there were they had to be deep enough for the speaker and wide enough for Paddy McGlinn. On the Western Front, speaking of the battle of Messines, his corps consisted of the N.Z. Division, the Australian Division ■ and two other British Divisions. When, the time came for the attack, he had no hesitation in putting in th e post of honour, the N.Z. Division, who took the key of the position and establish- j ed firmly the reputation that it maintained for the rest of th e warjjf being one of the very best divisions on the Western Front. Don’t let anyone think that Gallipoli was a failure. If Jt had not been for Gallipoli the flower of the Turkish Army would have done much damage on the Western Front. As it was that campaign destroyed the flower of the Turkish Army. Talking of the Battle of Passchendaele, General Haig was forced into the fight, j If they had not fought *he' Germans as they did there then they would have lost the )war. Marshal Petain come to General Haig and implored him 1 to go on. If they had not fought on the portion of the front held by the French would have been attacked, and in the condition the French v ore at that time the Germans would have broken through and gon e . right on to Paris. That battle, in spite of what the critics had said proved invaluable as it assisted greatly in the end in enabling'the" Allies to win ; the war. Referring to Returned Soldiers’ Associations, lie expressed his pleasure at the splendid results being achieved. He felt the R.S.A. will go on from strength to strength, will keep up the old comradeships and also do a great deal of good for New Zealand. He w r as also glad to know' that they were all ready to assist the citizen army. The volunteer spirit was good. A lot of young men w'ere coming in and doing a lot of good. He did not think they need have the least fear but that they would uphold the high traditions of the N.Z.E.F. There was nof, the slightest fear that if th e call came the N.Z. Army would be just as ready anj capable as they were in 1914. There was nothing in the world like the comradeship of soldiers, and when, as in their case, it was with the Anzac spirit, it was a wonderful'thing. At all the old comrade meetings that •he was attending he was charged by ■the Australian forces to give best greetings to the N.Z.E.F. Th e Anzac spirit w’as growing, and he hoped they ■ would be able to hand it down to their children. Many British officers sent j their lov e and regard to you. Sir lan ] Hamilton, who was 84, worked very | hard for the British Legion, and is getting younger and younger every .■year. He sent out his greetings. It has given him enormous pleasure to be present; Th e memories of tnis gathering had brought baok great pleasure. He was glad to have had the pleasure of being present and of meeting them all. It was a greater pleasure than he could fittingly express. (Applause and “For He’s a dolly Good Fellow.”)

OTHER TOASTS. “Fallen Comrades,” proposed by Mr Thornhill Cooper. He appreciated the honour of having to propose the toast. They lost many fine fellows on the various battlefields. Som© died in hospital, some at sea and som© cam© horn© to die. They had sot a great example that should never b e forgotten. They died to set an example for future generations. They died t ( , uphold the traditions of the British Empire, and for what better cause could they die? The battlefield was the place to find the true spirit of comradeship. It was to the memory of thos© lost comrades that he asked them to rise and drink to their fallen comrades the “Deathless Arinv.” *

The toast was honoured in silence, Mr Arnold Perry then sang "Beyond tile Sunset,” and Bugler Stevenson sounded "The Last Post.* r The toast. "The Returned Soldiers’ Association,” was proposed by Mr H. M. Coulson. No one, he said, appreciated more than he did the service of the returned soldiers j and those who did not return. He was glad that th.. value of the R.S.A. was being appreciated by the community and that their membership was increasing rapidly.

The association should be made a power iu tlue land. Mr ALeJvane, Y.P. of tbe N.Z. A.S.A. replied to the toast, expressing his pleasure at being present at the welcome to General Godley, and to respond on behalf oi the A.Z. R.S.A..

He referred at some length to the formation of the Association, and ine keen .interest taken by their leader in the movement in this country, iu which the rank and file also wer c taking a great interest. One grand feature of the organisation was that it was a non-political one.

Toast, “The Women of the War,” proposed bv the chairman. He would take them back twenty years ago. First and foremost we must give pride of place to our motive's, our wives and our sisters. They waited at home and waited and waited, till we came home. There was not one who would not give pride of place to our mothers. Many recollections were given of the women of the east and west. Finally, he referred to the nurses and their war women, a great tribute.

Responded to J)r Childs whose reply was listened to with rapt attention.

Toast, “South African Veterans,” proposed by Mr A. C. Armstrong. General Godley responded. Hu said Iks had the good fortune to 'meet tins New Zealanders in the South African War and it was as a result of what he had seen of their mounted men there that when he was asked to come out to New Zealand in 1910 lie agreed at once, on account of what lie had seen of New Zealanders in th ( . South African campaign. Th e South African War was a gentlemanly war as compared with the last war. II 0 was very glad that the New Zealanders who fought in South Africa were still remembered. It was in South Africa that tho Now Zealanders laid the foundation of that great reputation that they now, hold throughout the world.

Toast, “The Territorials, ' proposed by Mr R.van (Gre.ymouth); responded to by Lieut. Hutchison.