WELCOME HOME

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32629, 3 October 1945, Page 7

WELCOME HOME

FUNCTION AT THE BAY PRESENTATIONS MADE SERVICEMEN HONOURED The welcome home function to Lieut. A. Howard, Sgt.-i Pilot J. Simpson and Dvr. L. Robinson, held at Whitianga, was very well patronised and the chairman in his remarks stated how pleasing it was to see so many present. People are apt to forget so soon, the honour due to these men and to the next-of-kin now the war is over.

The i eturned men received hearty applause on their coming forward to receive the presentation. With a few words Miss' Dorothy Troughear presented bouquets to the next-of-kin, Mrs A. Simpson, Mrs Howard’ and Miss Kathleen Robinson. The chairman of the patriotic committee, Mr Gordon Ross, welcomed each serviceman in his usual goodnatured, whole-hearted manner. He called on Mr Henry Simpson to make the presentation and to speak on behalf of the residents.

Mr Simpson said he wished to endorse what the chairman had said and spoke feelingly and sympathetically of the vacant chair in Mr Robinson’s home, in the loss of their son, Sgt.-Pilot Alan Robinson, R.N.Z.A.F., who was killed in action, returning 1 from operational flights over Germany. However, he was pleased that all could share in the joy of the return of his other son Lou, who was released’ from a prisoner-of-war camp and who did not complain very much of his treatment, although at times it had been grim. Each guest was a relation or connection by marriage of Mr Simpson. To Lieut. Howard he congratulated him on his success and to Sgt.-Pilot Simpson he said he thought it may be best to leave it to the next speaker. Jokingly he gave quite sound advice to each one as to how they might like to spend the cash gift as he made the presentations. He wished them each a pleasant leave.

Mr Ross next called on Mi- Brophy, who congratulated each on his share in the victory. He said he appreciated the courtesy extended to the R.S.A. to join in the welcome home.

Lieut. Howard was not so well known tb most but prior to the war was a regular visitor to the Bay during the holiday season, as he had married the daughter of a well-known family. He had served; in the North African and Italian campaigns. Dvr, Lou Robinson, one of the Third Echelon boys, was farewelled in the hall and they had all, with the exception of Les Baker, who died while a prisoner of Avar in Italy, safely returned home.

Special mention was made by Mr Brophy of the pleasure all felt to Mr Robinson and his family, because he thought, Mr Robinson was perhaps the only one of hisjkind in the district, and that kind was a contented farmer. In spite of the fact that his three sons were in the Armed Services he and one son carried on with the farm work with never a complaint about the shortage of labour or the price of butterfat and although misfortunes came his way, no one had a braver outlook during the war period. So all were particularly happy to join in the home-coming of his son after four years.

Speaking to Sgt.-Pilot Simpson, Mr Brophy congratulated the youthful flyer who would not attain his twentyfirst birthday for some days yet. His was a useful service and his parents were also deserving of congratulations having two sons who had served overseas. Both Mr and Mrs Simpson were members of the patriotic committee and always had been most generous. At this stage, Mr Brophy said he would like to compliment those ladies who had worked so hard to provide such excellent suppers for the functions to locol servicemen.

He extended the good wishes of the R.S.A. to the guests of honour. Each serviceman very suitably replied thanking everyone for their kindness.

All joined in singing “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” A lovely supper was served and dancing continued till 12.30 a.m., closing with the National Anthem.