SOCIAL GATHERING

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 75, 24 February 1930, Page 2

SOCIAL GATHERING

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN. VISITORS ENTERTAINED. To strengthen the already strong bonds of comradeship existing between units, the N. (Manawatu) Squadron of the Legion of Frontiersmen entertained members of the Wedington and Wanganui Squadrons at a smoke concert on Saturday. An apology for absence was received from Colonel J. M. Rose and, in his stead, Lieutenant R. H. Allen presided. After the loyal toast had been honoured, Frontiersman Whitehead proposed the toast of Captain Roger Pocock and Lieut.-Colonel Driscoll, coupled with the name of Lieut. Delaney, of Wellington. He pointed out that the Legion owed its existence to Captain Pocock, who, invalided from the. Royal North-West Mounted Police, suffering from frostbite, returned to London after some -ears’ absence to find himself a stranger in his native city. He found that many others who had served the Empire in the outposts were in n similar position. He banded ed them together as a social club. In 1906 this body became thi Legion, composed of men of experience who, in their own spheres, might be of service to the Empire in time of need. Under Lieut.-Colonel Driscoll the Legion had flourished till the Great War. Of their efforts in that great conflict the proposer of the toast said he need only mention the deeds the Frontiersmen’s battalion of the Fusiliers in West Africa. Replying, Lieut. Delaney spoke in similar terms and remarked that Roger Pocock was living in straightened circumstances, having given his all to the Legion. It would be a graceful act if New Zealand Frontiersmen sent him an autographed album. There was some discussion on the suggestion made by Lieut. Delaney and it was decided to take the matter up with other squadrons. One minute’s silence was observed in memory of the 9000 men of the Legion who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War. The toast of I. (Wellington) Squadron was proposed by the chairman, who stated that Manawatu frontiersmen had eagerlv looked forward to this visit from their Wellington comrades. Sergt.Major Nicol returned thanks on behalf of the visitors. The Legion, he said, had been a great thing for him. He had come out to New Zealand immediately after the Great War and had been very lonely for some time. He had then joined the Legion and found himself among friends. Other toasts honoured were “Lady Heloers” (proposed bv the chairman and" replied to bv Frontiersman Medwav). “The Defence Department” (Sergt. Bangav—Sergt.-Major Harvey) and “The Press.” During the proceedings many old choruses were sung and items were rendered by Mr Duckworth, Frontiersman Inkpen, Sergt Morton Long, Sergt.-Major Nicol and Frontiersman Paterson.