FORMER SOLDIERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23057, 7 June 1938, Page 14

FORMER SOLDIERS

FRIENDSHIPS EENEWED MEMORIES OF THE WAR FIRST AUCKLAND BATTALION The third reunion of the First Auckland Battalion, New Zealand Expedi- 1 tionary Forces, was held last night in < the Town Hall concert chamber. Cap- . tain R. S. Judson, V.C., presided , over a gathering of about 200 men, who during the evening were given opportunities of fraternising with old comrades they had not seen for several years. A cordial welcome was given ( the lit. Hon. J. G. Coates, who in a brief speech said it was their pri\ i- j lege to say what was best for the country, and their responsibility to say whether freedom of speech and thought should be granted to everyone. ~ . , Major D. H. Donaldson recalled the distinguished soldiers which the regiment had produced, not the least of i whom, ho said, was Captain Judson. The present Auckland regiment had, been assigned the task of defending the city, and it was hoped that returned soldiers would take an interest in the subject and encourage people to realise its importance. In addition to the loyal toast the following toasts were called:—"Absent Comrades," proposed by Captain Judson; "The Regiment," proposed by Major Donaldson, the response being given by Mr. Coates; "The United Services," proposed by Lieutenant M. Blampied; "Th.e A.1.F.," proposed by Lieutenant-Colonel R. Tilsley, and responded to by Mr. E. P. Titchener, president of the Auckland Australian Imperial Forces ex-Servicemen's Association. OYOLIST BATTALION AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING The Auckland members of the New Zealand Cyclist Battalion held their second reunion dinner since the war on Saturday evening. Major IL D. McHugh, M.C., N.Z.S.C., who was second in command of the battalion during its service in France, presided over a large and enthusiastic attendance from all parts of the North Island. The late commanding officer of the battalion, Lieut.-Colonel C. Hellier Evans, D.5.0., sent cable greetings from Melbourne. In proposing the toast of the battalion, Major McHugh gave a brief outline of its history. Formed in 1916, the battalion boasted an Australian company until 1918, and was termed the 2nd Anzac Corps Cyclist Battalion. When the Australians were withdrawn in that month they were replaced by New Zealanders, the unit then becoming the New Zealand Corps Cyclist Battalion, the name being retained until the close of the war. Although specially formed and trained for advance guard work, the cyclists did most of their fighting as infantrymen until the trench warfare ended. Attached at various times to many different commands, the battalion saw little of the New Zealand Division. Many firm friendships made between the Australian and New Zealand personnel during the war were renewed at the recent Anzac Day celebrations in Sydney, which a detachment of the cyclists attended. SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS MANY UNITS REPRESENTED All New Zealand contingents and 41 other units from all parts of the Empire were represented at the annual reunion dinner of the South African War Veterans' Association in Auckland. Various toasts were honoured by the assembly, and the remainder of the evening was spent in the exchange of reminiscences. REUNION AT OTAHUHU , GOVERNMENT AND DEFENCE There was a large gathering at the annual reunion of the Otahuhu and District Returned Soldiers' Association. The president, Mr. R. V. Closey, welcomed members and representatives of many kindred organisations. The plight of Imperial ex-servicemen and the difficulties facing them in regard to pension matters was mentioned by the secretary, Mr. L. J. Buckley, in the course of a toast to "Parliament , and Local Bodies." Mr. C. R. Petrie, M.P. for Hauraki, who replied, pro- ' mised the co-operation of the Government in overcoming the difficulties. He also gave a brief outline of the Govern- , ment's defence policy. .