WELCOME HOME

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32626, 26 September 1945, Page 7

WELCOME HOME

COROMANDEL EVENING FOUR SOLDIERS HONOURED SPECIAL MARCH BY THE BAND A large gathering of residents and visitors attended a welcome home dance in St. George’s Hall, Coromandel, on Friday, September 14, the guests of honour being three men recently returned from the Middle East and one prisoner-of-war. They were: —Sgt. T. C. Turner, Pte. K. A. McNeil, 'Pte. Whitcombe and Pte. Selwyn Fisher (prisonei- of war). The Coromandel Silver Band opened the function with a stirring March, followed by the 'first waltz. During the evening the band' also played a two-step.

The bandmaster, Mr Arthur McNeil advised the gathering that the bandmaster of the Thames Citizens’ Band Mr Sutcliffe, had written a march specially for the band, and to-night the band would play it for the first time in honour of the occasion of the welcoming homing of two of the bandsmen, Sgt. Turner and Pte. McNeil. The march was called “Kapanga.” Both bandsmen, Ken and Colin, were descendants' of the old “Kapanga tribe”—gold miners wellknown to Coromandel people—in fact, he said, there were nine members of the band who were direct descendants of the Kapanga tribe. The bandsmen played the march which was very much appreciated by everyone pressent. “ We Are Proud Of You ’ Mr E. Deeble, chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council extended a welcome home to the men. He said: “We are proud of you all and we welcome you back home with hearts full of gratitude. It gives me very great pleasure to welcome you here this evening. We have followed your movements and those of the Second Division and have been thrilled with the jobs you have done. The Second Division has created undying fame—their glorious deeds have been conceeded throughout the world.” He concluded with wishing them- health and happiness and a speedy return to civil life and prosperity. Three hearty cheers following the singing of “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.”

Mr P. J. Murphy, president of the R.S.A. said he wished, on behalf of the members of the R.S.A. to associate himself with the county chairman’s remarks-, and also to say how pleased and thankful all were to see these men back home again. “Sgt. Turner and Pte. McNeil have been away a long while. Both of them are well-known to us all. It seems only the other day that we bade them good-bye and now here we are welcoming them home again.” He continued, “Another Coromandel boy who was with these two, Captain Jack 'Woodhouse, would also be returning to 'Coromandel on a visit in the near future. Pte. Fisher has been a iprisoner of war in Italy and Germany and did not have too good a time. We hope that the bad phases of-his captivity will soon fade away and that he will be restored to health and l happiness. Pte. Whitcombe of Aucland who is here to-night is also extended l a hearty welcome from members of the local branch of the R.S.A.” Three more lusty cheers.

Each of the men re-plied thanking o very one for the very- warm welcome extended to them. They emphasised' the splendid work done by the patriotic committees and said how much the parcels, of which they had all received many, had been appreciated very much by them, but more so by those less fortunate in being prisoners of war. Pte. Fisher was of the opinion that he was very glad indeed to be back again in the best little town in New Zealand and in the best little country in the world. After the welcome speeches had been concluded, supper was served by the patriotic committee. A ladies’ excuse me spot waltz was won by Miss P. Hart and Mr Boyd; The music for- the dancing was supplied by Mrs E. M. Lucas and Lee Perfect, and extras were played by Mrs Walmsley and Miss Lillis. Dancing continued till the early hours.