BURNHAM TROOPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23545, 4 January 1940, Page 10

BURNHAM TROOPS

CHRISTCHURCH CHEERS FIGHT FOR FREEDOM TASK OP :YOr.N'C! MEN OVEIf 2000 FAKEWELLED - [BY TELEGRAPH —TRESS ASSOCIATION'] CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday The span of the years between two •wars was bridged to-day when 500 veterans of .191,4-18 formed a guard of honour for the Burnham trained section of the first echelon of the Now 'Zealand Expeditionary Force, which inarched through the city streets. It was the city's farewell to tlie troops. Not for very many years —in fact, since the days of 1914-18 —has Christchurch ' seen so impressive an occasion. More than 2000 troops marched to Cranmer Square and past ■ the saluting base, where Colonel P. H. Bell took the salute. , ... Christchurch, it appeared, was there to a man, woman and child. Thousands lined the route from the railway station and back," while the crowd at Cranmer Square was estimated at well over 10,000. '".Auld Lang Syne " After speeches, when the city said its official godspeed through its representatives, the most moving moment of the day came with the singing by the huge crowd to massed band acconi- . paniment of the National Anthem and "Auld Lang Syne." The troops marched in drill order. They looked a thoroughly business-like army, and moved steadily, holding themselves with soldierly erectuess and pride. .On„. their . Arrival at Cranmer Square "there was a roar of cheering, followed by an equally enthusiastic reception of returned men, who took up their positions facing the troops. In .the front rows on the platform, in a'ddi- . tion to Colonel Bell, were the Mayor, J\lr. H. M, Macfarlatie, the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, the ' president of the Returned Soldiers' Association, Mr. A. E. Haynes, Bishop West-Watson, Bishop Brodie, members of the Legislative Council, members of Parliament and the Mayors of Canterbury boroughs. .... Saving Small Nations "We are gathered hero to-day in the .presence oj.. .heroes, of our young . nation," said the Hon. I). G. Sullivan, who represented the Government. "Thev liave volunteered themselves with other young men of the British Empire as a living wall against a powerful enemy that has already ruthlessly destroyed the free nations of Poland, Austria and Czecho-Slovakia, and u'ould proceed to destroy piecemeal other' free " nations, including' France and England, unless' halted by a more powerful force than they can muster. It is to save the souls and the nationhood of these small States and to save the British Empire and our ally, France, and the peoples of the world generally against this fate that these young men go to. light. • "There ' are noble traditions that they will maintain under the leadership, of a great New Zealand soldier and" British* general, Major-General Freyberg. They will remember they have- the souls "of New Zealanders in their ' keeping. They will remember their British, traditions."--. "The" New, Zealand Labour Government joins, with other Governments of the Empif'e'nnd with Labour Parties in every "part of the Empire in this to save the soul of the world a.nd the-.freedom of the world against the destroying monster of Hitlerism, and we'prav to-dav that He Who is all good, and in Whom there is no evil, will put the mantle of His protection over these boys- and bring them safe home to their families and their country."

THE SECOND ECHELON NORTH .AUCKLAND QUOTA ' 75 MEN' GOING TO CAMP [from our own cokkkspoxdent] .WHANGAREI, Wednesday As part of the quota of 339 required from tlie North A trek land area for the second,echelon of the .Special Military Force./ 7|> nien.. will -, go to .camp on January 10, .11, and 12. There are 76 men yet to go before the medical board, while 123 others: have enlisted, but are in reserved occupations. Except at the commencement of the war, last ■week gave the best recruiting figures, when 37 men Joined; as compared with the previous Weekly average; of 12. The following'are the names of the 75 men:— ' ' . Divisional, Cavalry (Papakura Camp).— R. H. Berghan (Kawakawa), E. Coe (Whajigarei); .-P; T. Campbell (Whangarei), A. D. Dalbelh (Whangarei),W. (irecnwooVl (KaiwaUa),- C. 'A. Knill (Maungaturoto), K. G McDonald (Tauraroa), G. C. Napier (Whangarei),- B. Primrose (Dargaville). (5. I>. A. Ward (Hikurangi), R. Hawkins (Kaitaia), K. J. Hanna (Kaitaia), F. V. Ward (Whangarei). Anti-tank Regiment (Ngaruawahia Camp). —L. B. .larvis (Whangarei), K. W. G. Waters (Whangarei). / ■ Field Regiment. Artillery (Ngaruawahia). —J. C. Carroll (Maungaturoto), C. H. Jenkins (Matakohe). H. 'P. Reid (Okaihau), A. D. M. Roy (Whangarei), A. C. llahoney (Whangarei), A. O'Brien (Hikurangi). , Engineers (Papakura).—W. E. Baker (Whakapara), N. McDonald (Maungaturoto). ' Divisional Signal Company (frcnthanii. — A. P. Home (Karoo). F. Horan (Mansonui), M. F. Knight (Russell), N. J. Moir (Whangarei). R. Showier (Kaikohc), A. V. Meale (Dargaville). Divisional Ammunition Company (Panakura). —C. W. Evans (Awanui 1 ). L. A. Hawking (Au;;imii), C. B. Hitchon (Kaikohe). Field Ambulanco (Burnham). —W. T. Norria (Whangarei). Machine-gun Battalion (Trentham). —V. H. Hamilton (Tokatoka), L. R. Tucker (Whangarei). C. D. Lewis (Whangarei). Rifle- Battalion (Papakura).—P. C. A insley (Whangarei), H, J.-. Anderson (Whakapara), A. W. J. Brown (Rchia), W. C. Blucher (Waihonu), E. S. Brown (AVaimamaku), G. R. Carr (Whangarei). I<. Cotterill (Parakao), C. W. Davidsan (Parakao), T. W, Ellis (Tangowahine), S. Fraser (Whangarei), J. 11. -Frederi»k«rn (Maungaturoto), J. A. Green (Kaipani Flats). W. A. .Olaspcr (Wcllsford). G. Graham (Pipiwai). F. H. Hall (Donnelly's Crossing), T. .7. Hongard (Motutangi). S. C. Harris' (Whangarei), C. E. Hay ward (Northern Wairoa). . Japeth (Helensville), J. E. Loyd (Whangarei), N. V. "McCallum (Paparoa), W. Marsh .(Kerlkerl), L. M. Mahon (Mnngonui). D. I. McKay (Whangarei). J. Raspe (>*gHtaki). G. , Rippingale (Ncataki), O. L. Rundstrom- (Dargaville). P. R. A. Russ (Kaikohe). D. Ross (Whansnrei). E G. Switzer (Te Kopuru), A. E. Smith 'Whanearei). J. .Tikena (Pakotai), ,T. laylor (Dareaville). R. W. Taylor (K?iukapakapa). ,F D. Thompson (Mangawhare), C. Tickle (MatakHnaUP- S. Warrington (Te Kopuru), L. Young >.(Waimakn), E. P. Hallmond (Dargaville).

SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED . GATHERINGS AT PANMURE 'A representative gathering of residents in tho Pamhure and Mount [Wellington districts met in the old {school, Panmuro, recently to farewell men of the district who were on leave ns members of tho-first echelon. The occasion had been arranged by the Mount ' Wellington-Panmure Returned {Soldiers' Club. Tho chairman, Mr. J. Carnachan, presented a wallet to each foldicr, on behalf of friends and residents in the district. A programme of ■entertainment was given during the pveriing, ; ; ... .