Solders From Feilding Honoured

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 115, 16 May 1941, Page 3

Solders From Feilding Honoured

PRESENTATIONS AT YESTERDAY’S GATHERING At. the Feilding Borough Council Chambers yesterday morning several soldiers about to return to camp were honoured by the civic authorities and the local Patriotic Society, each receiving the usual presentation and later being entertained at morning tea. The Mayor (Mr. T. L. Seddon) presided and in his remarks said that his message for their guidance in the tasks before them was that inscribed on a cohimn set in front of the Viceroy’s residence at Delhi: “In thought, faith; in word, wisdom; in deed, courage; in life, service.” * ‘ Through .the mists of battle we may now descry the dawn. Certain events of the past few week's notwithstanding our setbacks are a heartening sign that all is not well in the ranks of the enemy. The ever increasing volume of American aid has sealed the death warrant of the mad dog of Europe. Perhaps the great drama now being played approaches a decisive stage and it must now be evident even to our enemies that the man is moro than the machine her creates, his spirit stronger than steel and his faith in God ‘more outlasting than any pagan creed.

“We are aware of the strength of our enemies but I believe they have underestimated ours. British havo ever been noted for their determination once they get their minds to a task. This war for us is a ilol.y Crusade to protoct the rights and liberties of tho common man and we fight it in tho sure and certain hope of final triumph. When you think of the words on that column remember the Navy at Narvik, the Army at Dunkirk, the Air Force in its never-ceasing vigil of the skies and the Anzacs in Africa and Greece. These men may never have heard these words but they lived the spirit of them. You are made of the same stuff and will not fail,” he concluded. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, M.P., said that the boys of Feildiug and district, in common with those from the rest of the country, were doing their duty, * ‘ and we honour them this morning.” Tho Anzacs of to-day had upheld the highest traditions of those of Gallipoli fame in the fighting round Mt. Olympus anl in the great stand they made at the Pass of Thermopylae on the very soil where Leonidas and his 300 Spartans perished in their attempt to stem the Persian invasion of over 2000 years ago. Feilding wished its soldiers God speed and success. Mr. F. J. Allen (president of the R.S.A.) said that The Anzacs of to-day had realised their desire—to meet tho enemy in combat —and had demonstrated that thP3 r wero more than a match for Hitler’s hordes. The Hun, ho said, had paid a terrific price for his temporary successes and not the least of that price had been paid when his forces met the Anzacs in Greece. Mr. Allen went on to ask whether citizens were doing enough to help win the war and whether all were satisfied with their individual efforts. Could citizens allow the young men of the town and district to depart without a will and determination to do more? There was scope for a great deal moro patriotic effort and he hoped that all would rally and make every sacrifice to ensure the success of our arms. He concluded by referring to the work of the B.S.A. deeply interested in the men of the Second Expeditionary Force. The R.S.A. was determined, with its experience over the past 20 years, to see that the interests of the new Anzac3 were protected. The Mayor then made the usual presentations of a.leather wallet containing a 10s note on behalf of the Feilding Patriotic Society. The recipients were Privates D. B. Barrett, C. A. K. Stevens, W. E. R. Beazer, O. C. Great, head, C. H. Grindrod, D. Hayward, T. E. Hayward, W. G. Hart, W. I. Fergus and G. M. Edhouse. The guests as well as parents and relations were then entertained at morning tea.