RED TRIANGLE FUND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17323, 24 May 1918, Page 5

RED TRIANGLE FUND

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST. Previously iicknowledged £1311 11 3 Ranfurly Presbyterian Church Ladies' Guild 5 C 0 Total £1316 11 3 RETURNED SOLDIERS WELCOMED. Samper 11. Wafers (Main Body, Mining Corps) and Private W. Tripp ((Seventeenth Reinforcements) received a, hearty weloomo at Kaitungata on Monday evening, when they arrived home from the war. The Mayor, in extending a welcome to the returned men, expressed the opinion that whenever a returned man was fit to resume his former occupation in the mines an exempted man employed there should be released for service abroad. Ringing cheers were given for the two young men. On Wednesday owning Carmody's Hall was (writes our Waitahuna correspondent) well filled with residents from far and near to do honour to two returned soldiersSergeant Allan Edwards and Private Cullen. sergeant Edwards was a Main Body man belonging to the Machine Gun Section and returned only ten days previously, having seen three and a-half years' servico practically without a break. Sergeant Edwards has nothing in height or weight to recommend him for a soldier, but for fighting ability has put up a record that is deserving of recognition. He received his baptism of fire at the landing at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, and from then on took part in all engagements there until tho evacuation. Proceeding subsequently to n an ? e> Se rs eant Edwards participated in all the mam " stunts" in which the New Zealanders were engaged, until ho was wounded last Octobcr and invalided to England. During the whole period of service Sergeant Edwards was off duty for only three days—the last three days of the occupation of Gallipoli; He is duo back in camp on June 1, having sufficiently recovered from his wound to enable him to - rejoin the Colours. Private Cullen did not reach the firing line, Icing unable to pass the severe mcdical test of the Imperial medical authorities. He dwelt on the record of scrvice attained bv Sergeant Edwards, and felt that Waitahuna should feel proud of one who had done so much. The Rev. J. S. Ponder spoke of tho dark days through which the Empire had passed. Critical times had been overcome, and he had no doubt that this more trying period would ultimately end in victory and peace. The Rev. J. C. Jameson spoke of the honour and glory the New Zealand soldier was bringing to his homeland. He was making history and traditions for future generations, and they of the future would honour and value these glorious traditions Captain Stevens referred to the excellent qualities of the returned soldiers, who would compare with any other in the Empire and congratulated Sergeant Edwards on his return from a long and arduous campaign. The chairman (Mr Wholan) then presented Sergeant Edwards and Private Cullen each with a gold medal, suitably inscribed, and the recipients briefly replied A splendid programme was presented during the evening. The rapid growth of the nail is an indication of health.