Value Of R.S.A. To Servicemen Returning To N.Z.

Northern Advocate, 22 April 1944, Page 2

Value Of R.S.A. To Servicemen Returning To N.Z.

“We do not merely offer them a handshake, a welcome and goodbye but an introduction to an association composed of men returned from three wars—the South African War, the Great War and the present war,” said the president of the Whangarei Returned Services’ Association (Mr R A. Rogers), when at the largestattended reunion for many years in the Town Hall last night he extended a welcome to the official guests, 'members of the second furlough party of the Second N.Z.E.F. At his request they stood and were greeted with applause in a manner which left no doubt as to their welcome. Continuing, and proposing the toast in their honour, Mr Rogers outlined the objects of the association and paid tribute to the men of the Second N.Z.E.F. They might have been concerned at upholding the traditions established by their forebears, especially in the Great War, "but they had more than upheld those great traditions—they had excelled them. Responding on behalf of the second furlough draft, Lieutenant W. Ross said that he was sure returning men of the Second N.Z.E.F. would become staunch members of the association. The returning men had the advantage of the men of the Great War, in that they could become members of an established organisation, but the new men would be an acquisition in that they would bring new blood and new ideas to the association. The loast list was opened after grace had been said by the padre (Rev. G. Brown) By the toastmaster (Mr A. Grant), who proposed the Loyal toast. S'plemn Tribute To Dead Solemn moment of the evening was the honouring of the toast, “Fallen Comrades,” proposed by Padre Brown, who spoke of the spiritual presence of those who had given their lives and the cause in which they had fallen and their charge to those who remained to see that the world was a fitting place for the living. As he finished speaking all stood while Sergeant T. R. Jones sang “Requiem” which was followed by a minute of silence before the toast was honoured. .Proposing the lonst of the nursing and other women's services. Lieu (.-Colonel AV. P, Dawson paid tribute to the work done by women in war, and spoke of the groat debt owed to them by the servicemen. In her response, Mrs. H. G. Carruth said that the women enjoyed nursing' soldiers because they made such good patients.

Toasting “The Services," Mr. J. G. Barclay spoke of the exploits of the three services, the Army, Navy and Air Force, and said he hoped Ihat before the next reunion Germany and Berlin would be added to the list of successful campaigns. He appealed to till returning servicemen to join tiie Returned Services Association which was working- incessantly in their interests. Responses were made, by ideal .-Colonel ij. R. Conyers-Brown (Army), Able-Seanutn .1. Harold (Navy), Pilot-Officer U. Hogley (Air Force).

Other toasts honoured were “Kindred Associations" (Mr. A. T. Dunne—Mr. W. J. Bell, president of the South African War Veterans’ Association); "Mess Orderlies, Other Helpers and Donors’’ (Mr. A. Grant— Sergeant A. G. Martin). Music was provided’by Cos Wrights Band and community singing- of songs of the last war was enjoyed, while items were given by Sergeant T. R. Jones. Mr. 11. Gribble and a number of impromptu entertainers.