Returned Soldiers’ Re-union

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3713, 5 October 1926, Page 5

Returned Soldiers’ Re-union

A re-union of the returned soldiers in. Lake County, who served in the Great War was held in the Town Hall On Friday evening' lost, Ist October. .There was an attendance of closes on -10 returned men including two or three who served in. the Imperial Forces. Major Mackenzie presided His Worship the Mayor (A. Samson, Esq.), who is a South African veteran), and Major Browne, an Imperial Army otlioer, were amongst those who sat at the head of the table. Before commencing the procdedinigs ah thosie present stood up and observed 1 a two minutes’ silence as a token of respect for dead oomra.cfe. Major Mackenzie said it was pleasing to see so many returned soldiers present. It was a good idea to hold these re-unions periodically so that the friendships an dissociations which were forged during the war should not be allowed to be forgotten. He wished to, commend the committee who carried out the arrangements. Hetumed soldiers had every reason to be proud' of themselves. With their dead comrades they were the backbone of the army and had stood for Empire and' civilisation. Those pvho served in the war had (had {their vision widened by thoil|r travels and (their experience, with other men (and if properly organised they should texe-rt a healthy experience in It he community. They were, moreover, not likely to bother about 'such trivial (thing's as social destruction which caused so much misery amongst the .people in other lands. It was .inevitable that many returned! soldiers Shad suffered and ware suffering from nils or disabilities caused through (the war, and to these' they .extended ftheir sympathy. It was not fair, be said, for certain sections to Driticdp-o those men', who had 'unfortunately fallen into temptation. Major Mackenzie extended a, hearty 'welcome to all—ho was pleased to see their worthy chief citizen (Mr A. Sims-on) present—ia;nd hie hoped that all would thoroughly enjoy them selves.

The toast list, which was a somewhat lengthy one, had unfortunately to- be curtailed owing to a late start. The various toasts were, howeyetd, honoured in the true so Idler-like s-pii|riit. Major Mackenzie proposed the toast of “The King,” followed by the singing of the National Anthem. The other toasts' were gs follows: “The Army,” proposed by Mr T. McKinlay and responded to -by Major Browne: “The Navy,” Mr E. Burford, responded by Mr -Col. Macdonald; “The Nurses,” MV L. Maim, responded by Mr J. Dagg; “Imperial Forces,” Mr M. M-aroouey, responded by; Messrs T. Lynch and J. Keith; “The Infantry,” Mr Jas. (Grant, responded by Jno. Grant; “The Mounteds.” Mr Dunsiimtir, pep-sonde d by Mr 0. Johnston; “Machine Gun -Corps,” Mr H. Dagg, responded by Mr 0. Johnston; “The Medical Corps,” Mr W. D. Wariien, responfdied by Mr G. V. Wilkinson; “The South African Veterails.,” Mr T. Lynch, responded by Mr A. Simson. “The Stretcher •Bearers,” Mr G. Summers, re-spon-diecl by Mr J. Keith; "The Chairman,” Air A. Simson. During tire course- of the evening several interesting recitals of incklients during the war wore- given. It is also worthy of note that- wartm praise was given the N.Z. sojdleins by ex-iSe-iglt-Major T. Lynch and Major Browne, both Imperial Army men. The gathering was brought to a close with the singing of Au Id-Lang Syne.

During the evening bagpipe- selections were given by Mr J. Keith, vocal numbers by Messrs- E. Burford and Dowmie and recitations by Mess-re J. Flahive and others.