OTAGO MOUNTED RIFLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18322, 12 August 1921, Page 5

OTAGO MOUNTED RIFLES

SECOND ANNUAL REUNION. The Overseas Club room was the scene of a pleasant function last night, whan the second annual reunion and smoke social of ,; the Otago Mounted Rifles was held, Major Mitchell presiding over a good number 'of 7 ' ex-members of the regiment. ' ; . T Following the toast of “The King^-thp' - Chairman welcomed those present ' anti , thanked them for conferring upon him the honour of presiding. He was certain that, the annual reunion was now established,' and he felt confident that it would be held from year to year. In colling upon those present to stand in silence, tno Chairman referred to the officers, non-commissioned, officers, and men of the regiment who were no more with them. Mr E. Smith, in proposing the toast of ; “The Army, Navy, and Air Forces,” re- •• ferred to the great services they had rendered the Empire during the great war. Ho mentioned the work of the Prime Minister (Mr Massey) and the representaitvee of the other dominions at the conferences in London, and hoped that the leaders of the Empire would still maintain a onePower standard. Mr L. W. Watson, in reply, made a humorous speech, which contained several amusing reminiscences of army service on, the various fronts. He said that it. ■ was the duty of all to attend the annual .reunions of the Otago Mounted Rifles. ; • It would be a great pity if the comrades of ■ ■ the fallen men forgot them, but he did not think this possible. Major F. H. Lampen, in proposing the toast of “The Otago Mounted Rifles,” said that it was very seldom that he had the privilege of toasting alone. In the course of his remarks, the Major stated that although a professional soldier he would willingly give up his position if national defence was no longer necessary. It was a scandal that a town like Dunedin had not yet erected a memorial to the-fallen, while the smallest of the towns in Otago all possessed their own memorial?.. The speaker referred to the late Colonel Bauchop, the first commanding officer of the Otago Mounted Rifles, Captain Bruce Hay, squadron commander, who were both killed at Gallipoli, and Sergeant D. Travis, V.C., who was known as “the Ring of No-man’s Land.” It was tip to the returned soldiers to influence public opinion in the matter cf a memorial, but the lead should not come from them but from the remainder of the community. Mr A. Johnson suitably responded. The following toasts were also honoured: “The Horses,” proposed by M. J. Ovens, and responded to by Mr W. Biggar; and “The Press.” Most enjoyable musical items were given by the following;—Messrs S. Jeffs, N. Bacbop, A. A. Umbers, A. Armour, and J. Kerr. Major Lampen was heartily encored for his amusing personification of a Cockney, sergeant giving instruction in bayonet fighting. Mr Oourtney, of .Fuller's, was also loudly applauded for his entertaining stories. Mr N. Bachop acted a* accompanist, and Messrs L. W. Watson (chairman) and A. Umbers (secretary) and committee carried out their duties most capably.