GRAND WELCOME

Northern Advocate, 29 December 1934, Page 3

GRAND WELCOME

TO SIR A. GODLEY. A SOUTHLAND REUNION. ANZAC EVACUATION RECALLED. [Per Press Association. — Copyright .] INVERCARGILL, This Day.

Filled with the desire to do honour to their old commander-in-chief, the returned soldiers and army nurses of Southland assembled in large numbers for an informal welcome to General Sir Alexander and Lady Godley, who were received with great enthusiasm. It was the wish of Sir Alexander that he appeared among soldiers as their old comrade-in-arms. He met and shook hands with everybody there, recalling old memories and rejoicing in the company of the men whose welfare had once been placed in his hands. After a short toast list had been honoured, he presented badges and life membership tickets in the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association to the nurses presents and had supper with a number of former soldiers.

Colonel J. Hargest, M.P., who was accompanied by Mrs Hargest, a former member of the army nursing service, presided, and also present were the Mayor, Mr John Miller, and the Mayoress. The attendance was fully representative, comprising soldiers, padres and nurses. Lived in Hearts of Men.

la proposing the toast of the guest, Colonel Hargest said some of those present had come 50 miles to see General Godley, who lived in the hearts of the men. They had been fortunate in having a man of his calibre to lead them. Reference had been made to the evacuation of Anzac and Suvla, which was conducted by General GodIcy and his staff officers, and Sir Brudenell White, then Colonel White, There was no doubt that many of them owed their lives to those two men, and their conduct of the evacuation must go down as one of the great military feats of modern times. The chairman concluded by paying a tribute to the work of Lady Godley. In reply, Sir Alexander, who was applauded to the echo, said he was very proud that so many of his comrades of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force had come to meet him. Ever since the war he had wanted that chance. He looked on himself as a New Zealand soldier, if they would let him, and he could assure them that one of his happiest memories would be the night he had spent with them.