SOLDIERS HONOURED

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4554, 26 February 1942, Page 2

SOLDIERS HONOURED

Considering the last-minute alteration in the date of holding a social i gathering in honour of two local boys, there was a very good attendance of town and district peopde in the Garrison Hall on Tuesday evening last. In the first place Pte. Fraser Gray, eldest sou of Mr and Mrs 1). F. Gray, who was discharged from the army in December last, was given a formal welcome back to his home town and in the second place Leading Aircraftman Jim Buckham, younger son of Mr and Mrs H. C. Buckham, was farewelled. Prior to the supper adjournment at a very enjoyable dance, the chairman of the Farewell and Reception Committee (Dr Anderson) apologised for the delay in extending a welcome to Pte. Gray which he said was unavoidable. On behalf of the residents of the town he expressed pleasure that Pte. Gray had been spared to come back to the town unwounded after his discharge from the army. They congratulated Leading Aircraftman Buckham on his joining the air force. He felt sure that L/A Buckham would worthily uphold the high standard that this unit of the British army had attained and he expressed the popular wish that Jim would return safe and sound to his family. The chairman apologised for the absence of the airman’s father, Mr H. C. Buckham, and was pleased to see several members of the Buckham family present, one other of which was also in a branch of the air department. Mr C. H. McKay spoke on behalf of the R.S.A. and Rev. D. K. Boyd as chaplain of the territorials. Both extended their best wishes to L/A Buckham, and expressed confidence that he would worthily fulfil his very important task and a sincere desirie that he would be spared to return to his native town.

Miss E. Davies, president of the local branch of the W.D.F.U., added her good wishes and asked L/A Buckham to accept a gift from the branch. Dr Anderson made a presentation of a gold medal to Pte. Gray as a token of esteem from the people of Queenstown and he handed a sum of money to L/A Buckham as an expression of the goodwill and best wishes of his many friends. Musical honours were accorded both men after which they briefly replied.

Excellent music was provided for the dance by a Cromwell orchestra and the ladies committee was responsible for a first-class supper.