A TRYST WITH THE PAST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18906, 5 July 1923, Page 8

A TRYST WITH THE PAST.

“ROYAL IRISH” VETERANS.

PASSING OF A LOYAL CEREMONY.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, July 4.

The breaking of one of the few cherished links between the prosperous present and tho war-shadowed days of the past will bring a shadow of sadness to many hearts to-day, for while it marks the sixtieth anniversary of the arrival of the 19th Royal Irish Regiment, it marks also tho breaking of that precious chain of annual reunions which for decades have brought joy to veteran survivors. In 1913 the old soldiers celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the Second Battalion of their famous regiment, and through the succeeding years 'they have gathered together in Albert Park each morning of July 4 under tho shadow of the statue of the Queen they served so loyally through tho years of storm and stress. No weather was too bitter, no wind too chill, to damp the ardour of those loyal hearts. From all over New Zealand tho old veterans obeyed the summons year by year and lined up proudly to the roll call. . Among the most vigorous and most zealous of all that little band, numbering in late years about a dozen, was the late ColoUrsergeant W. Forsyth, of Wanganui, who each year undertook the organisation of tho annual reunion. Last year his tall, well-knit figure was the most notable in all that gallant little band. Although jn his eightythird year his alertness and his vigour was an inspiration and a revelation to all who attended the simple little ceremony which meant, so much to those aged men, but it was ordy a few weeks after that gathering of 1922 that this fine old soldier answered the last call, and with his death the final link has snapped, for it was his enthusiasm and his zeal that roused tho flickering flames of vigour and activity in their enfeebled frames and brought his fellow veterans to the meeting-place -whore faithfully year by year they kept the tryst with tho past. Now he. too, has joined the great body of gallant comrades of those early days, and the sixtieth anniversary of the day on winch this splendid body of soldiers landed in New Zealand to do service for their Queen will pass quietly uncommemorated. There will bo no unfurling of the old flag, no answering of the roll-call, no sound of eager voices to break the silence in which the Great ~uoen keeps guard over the city: but the grey twilight of memory will be brightened hv thoughts of other days. The bond of fellowship remains unbroken, and the Royal Irish veterans will meet again to-day in spirit, united in tho hope of a dawning wherein each and every one of them soon shall gather in tho last and greatest reunion of all.