MEN RETURN TO CAMP

Southland Times, Issue 24011, 29 December 1939, Page 6

MEN RETURN TO CAMP

Leaving For Service Overseas STIRRING SCENES AT STATION

ROUSING FAREWELL GIVEN BY VAST CROWD

Scenes which have no precedent in the city since the Great War were enacted at the Invercargill railway station yesterday morning when about 90 soldiers, members of the first echelon who have been home on final leave before proceeding overseas, left by a special troop train at 6.15 o clock on their return to Burnham military camp. Although pathos was the dominant note when the time came for saying goodbye, the soldiers were given a rousing farewell and it was an outwardly cheerful and healthy body of men which thronged the carriage platforms as the train finally withdrew. In spite of the early hour there was a vast crowd of people at the station. The crowd at its height was estimated at 1500.

The contingent was to be under the command of Captain M. C. Rice when he joined the train at Edendale. Altogether, 226 men from the Southland area travelled by the train, many being picked up at intermediate stations. As early as daybreak taxis and private motor-cars were speeding through the city and suburban streets conveying troops and relations to the railway station. For an hour or two taxi firms did excellent business. Country roads in the earlymorning were alive with traffic as soldiers from the neighbouring towns were taken to the city. In Bluff, Winton and other towns business men and friends placed their cars at the disposal of troops and their relations, or themselves drove parties into Invercargill. A tew minutes before the troop train departed hundreds of cars lined, the Crescent and nearby streets, and occupied the special parking area m the centre of the road. There was a small group of people at the station entrance before 5 o clock and the crowd quickly grew in size as cars drew up at the kerb and soldiers with kits on shoulders, and relations and friends at their sides, walked on to the platform. Greetings were exchanged and the buzz of conversation grew louder as the crowd increased. A youthful accordion player was entertaining a party of friends at one end of the platform and at the south entrance a well-known Invercargill cornetist kept the crowd in good spirits with fragments of popular airs. The real feelings of the troops were for the moment hidden under a mask of cheerful indifference and good-natured banter was tossed from group to group. the band arrives At 5.45 the platform was filled with a surging multitude of people in search of friends. Hands were shaken and to the'soldiers were thrown words of encouragement, . advice and banter, jocular or earnest according to temperament. The band of the First Battalion, Southland Regiment, had now arrived and began to play lively marches. Over the heads of a vast crowd of people, tightly wedged, floated the rousing strains of the march “Invercargill.” “All aboard.” The cry, often heard, this time caused a new note to be struck. As soldiers clambered aboard the train there was brought home to all on the platform the poignant significance of the occasion. Soldiers with set faces but a determination to appear cheerful made their farewells without undue demonstration. It was not easy for the womenfolk and few failed to show their grief. The band again played “Invercargill” and a second injunction to board the train was given. Of the crowd a few were there merely to see the spectacle of troops departing but most of them were present to say farewell to the men. All, however, were impressed when the band struck up the traditional number “Auld Lang Syne” and the train made ready to depart; and now the grief was by no means confined to the women. Lusty cheers rang out above the music as sadness yielded a little to confidence in a noble beginning. Khaki-clad troops crowded the carriage platforms and responded gallantly to the cheers and good wishes as the train very slowly moved away from the platform. Hands waved as the engine gathered speed and there was a triumphant air about the departure. With mixed emotions the crowd began to disperse but some lingered to catch a last glimpse of the train as it rounded the curve beyond the station. BRIEF RUSH IN CITY For the next few minutes the city took on the appearance of a busy shopping day. Pedestrians filled the streets, tram cars clanged noisily by and there was a steady stream of motor traffic. Soon after 6.30, however, the crowd had vanished and the city ’ was quiet for an hour or two until it awoke to its normal day’s activity. A gesture which was greatly .appreciated yesterday morning was the offer by Mr W. Graham, proprietor of the pie-cart, of hot coffee and pies for the troops during the hours preceding the departure of the train. In appreciation, several of the troops presented Mr Graham with a chiming clock. For the convenience of citizens wishing to attend the departure of the men a special tram service was run from 5.40 a.m. Three women from the farewell committee of the Invercargill Metropolitan Patriotic Committee travelled with the troops as far as Woodlands to distribute fruit and cigarettes. Three cases of oranges and as many cases of bananas were taken on board before the train left Invercargill. BIG CROWD AT GORE

There was a big crowd of Gore and district residents present at the Gore railway station yesterday morning to bid farewell to about 30 soldiers from the district. The Gore Municipal Band was in attendance and although it provided stirring music there was a hushed atmosphere. Before the arrival of the train, the Mayor of Gore (Mr A. T. Newman) briefly addressed the soldiers. He Stated that there had been many formal functions in their honour and the large crowd pjesent that morning was

further evidence that their sacrifice was appreciated. He wished the men the best of luck and a safe return, appealing to them to fear God and honour the King. He then called for three cheers, which were heartily given. There was a big crowd of people at the Mataura station to bid farewell to the soldiers who left by the special troop train. As the train pulled into the station the Southlanders received an enthusiastic welcome and the few minutes’ wait was taken up with handshaking and words of greeting and farewell.

GUARD OF HONOUR AT * ' DUNEDIN THOUSANDS GATHER AT STATION (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, December 28. In bright sunshine this morning several thousand citizens assembled to bid farewell to local men of the first echelon who were returning to Burnham after their final leave. There was a big muster of returned soldiers, who formed a guard of honour on the march to the railway station. The crowd’s farewell was hearty but quiet, with naturally, some affecting good-bye scenes. On the station, short addresses were given by the Mayor, Mr A. H. Allen, and Mr T. White, president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. SOLDIERS CHEERED AT TE AROHA (United Press Association) TE AROHA, December 28. The Te Aroha members of the first echelon returning to camp today were bidden farewell by a large crowd. All business places were closed for an hour. Headed by a band and accompanied by members of the Returned Soldiers Association the men marched to the railway station, where several addresses were made and the soldiers were given rousing cheers. -