FIELD ENGINEERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23340, 8 May 1939, Page 13

FIELD ENGINEERS

THE 12TH REUNION PAST AND PRESENT UNITS CHURCH PARADE HELD A notable reunion was held on Saturday night by the Corps of Field Engineers in Auckland. It was the 12th function of its kind, and those present included members of the Auckland Engineer Volunteers of 1889 to 1911 and its successors, No. 3 Field Company, 1911-1918; No. 4 Field Company, 19181920; the Northern Depot Field Company, 1920-1931; and the present unit, the Ist Field Company. With them wero members of the Field Engineer units of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

The attendance was very good. Volunteers of the present company wore their new blue uniforms. Lieutenant N. L. Vickerman presided, and the guest of honour was Colonel N. W. McD. Weir, officer commanding the northern military district. Defence in the Pacific

The toast list was short, comprising a tribute to "Absent Comrades," by Corporal T. Botterill; and "The Corps," by Lieutenant-Colonel L. Potter. N.Z.S.C., and responded to by Major W. A. Gray, M.C., on behalf of past members and by QuartermasterSergeant Penn on behalf of present members.

The course was followed of having a guest speaker on a topical subject, an address being given by Mr. J. L. Scoullar on "Defence in the Pacific." During the evening items were given by Messrs. Alan McElwain, Gordon Faigan, and Lewis Marson. Choruses wefe led by Major A. T. Dow, who also gave some reminiscences of volunteer days. The accompanist was Sapper L. Alfred Eadv. Parade to St. David's The corps also held a church parade t yesterday morning. A fine muster of members of the present and past units paraded at Grafton Bridge and were played to St. David's Church, where there is a memorial to members of' the corps who lost their lives in the Great War, bv the band of the Auckland Regiment. Later the parade was played back again to Newton Road, where it was dismissed.

In command of the parade was Major L. F. Rudd, officer commanding the present unit, and past officers present included Majors Dow and Grey and Lieutenants Vickerman, M. K. Draffin, F. G. Ashley and W. R. Cumming.

At the church an address was giren by the Rev. Dr. R. C. Gillie, who paid special attention to the significance of the day and the meaning of the memorial.