INVALIDED SOLDIERS

Marlborough Express, Volume L, Issue 89, 14 April 1916, Page 6

INVALIDED SOLDIERS

TIIE «END-OFF AT LONDON.

FLAG CEREMONY

LONDON, Feb. 25. Ttiere- has been a considerab-te iliminittton in the number of New Zealand soldiers in this country during the past few days. A party of about forty permanently unfits left by the New Zealand .hospital ship Maraina on their journey to tho Dominion, and another party of 80 men (under Captain Con way) left Paddington to join the Turakina at Plymouth. Further, a large draft of several hundred soldiers, who have regained'their health and strength in England, have left again for the front. They went quietly and secretly so far as the outside public-were aware. An interesting ceremony marked the departure of the.'-party of eighty ■men from Paddington, Lady SmithDo rrien .paying a warm tribute of a'dniirAtipn and respect by presenting thi> soldiers' with a beautiful silk Union Jack on behalf of the women of England. Th« wounded soldiers, led by the New Zealand Band, marched down the platform and lined up opposite their coaches of the train which was to take them through to Plymouth. Lady S'mith-Dorrien then asked Major Dawson, 3rd Auckland Rifles, to accept the. flag, to which was attached a shield in oxidised silver bearing the. following inscription: "To the _New Zealand Heroes—Gallipoli, 19.15—from the Women of England.". In accepting the flag, Major Dawson expressed the thanks of the New Zealantiers for the kindness shown to them while in this country. It was the first time many of them had seen the Mother Country, and they had received a very cordial welcome. The flat;; would be taken to New Zealand under the escort of men who had done their bit.

Miss Beatrice Chamberlain, daughter of r'ne late vMr Joseph Chamberlain, also briefly addressed the men on behalf of tli'e givers of the flag. She asked them to take a-■ greeting from Britain at home to Britain overseas. Sli v could' not but think how her fat.-ier would have rejoiced to sec this consummation of ideas which he had al.vsiys believed in and which he had done sr> much to forward. The flag would be a. symbol of all they cared for and u.ul tried to uphold. By this time it was necessary for the iit.>ti to take their place-.; in the train, vhieh steamed slowly out of tho station to the accompaniment of enthusiasts- cheers. Assisting in the flag ceremony were Mrs H. Alington (with whom tho-idea originated), Admiral Fremantle, Lady Shiith-Dorrien, and Miss Chamberlain, while* subscribers included: Lady Acland, Lady Birdwoiul. Miss 'Bona:* Law, Mrs Joseph Ohaiiilretlain, Miss Clunies-I?oss, Lady Co'vans. Lady I'illis. Lady Fremantle, .'jsu'iy French Mrs H'areourt, the Hon. Mrs All'red L.ytte-lton. and the. Coimtoss of TCanfurly. The statement is mad/? in thf. London press, though on whose authority is not apparent, that "_he flag is to find a permanent resting place over the Speaker's chair in tho New Zealand. Parliament, and that a replica of the shield is to follow on which will figure the autographs of the ladies associated.with the movement.

•So far as New Zealand was concerned, the Dominion was represented on the station platform by Sir Thomas Mji.i-ke.nzio. Sir lames Mills. Captain 1 Il'. Donne, Mr liven AY. Raymond. Mr C. J. YVray, and other ladies and gentlemen, but owing to the time taken up in the presentation of the flag there was no opportunity for a strict!v New Zealand- farewell. As it was. tl'v train —which is the colebrafd no.;->v!.>p express to Plymouth and ilie