TROOPS AT BURNHAM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24450, 8 November 1940, Page 8

TROOPS AT BURNHAM

IMPRESSIVE PARADE: FOR : . ECHELONS Soldiers now in camp at Burnham, who are the next to sail overseas tu reinforce echelons now away from the Dominion, paraded at a public function at the camp on Wednesday and listened to speeches from the Mayor of Christchurch. Mr R. M. Macfarlane. M.P. Mr J. G. Coates, a membsr of the War Cabinet, and Mr D. W. Rusr sell, president of the Canterbury Returned Soldiers' Association. The parade was a most impressive one. 4769 troops taking part in the march past, with thousands of city people lining the route and gathered about the official dais. There was a most impressive moment when Archbishop West-Watson led the big gathering in prayer—in a special prayer for the men going on foreign service, and. finally, the Lord's Prayer, The bands taking part included the Burnham Band, the JNo. 3 Training Battalion Pipe Band, the Otago Regimental Band <lent to the Nelson. Marlborough and West Coast Battalion), the Otago Bugle Band, and the Band of the South Island companies of the New Zealand Scottish Battalion. The camp commandant. Colonel S. D. Mason, was in charge of the parade which was one of the most impressive ever seen at Burnham. The majority of the men, particularly those to whom the people were saying farewell, had not many weeks in camp, and their showing was highly commendable.