OLD SOLDIERS MEET AGAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 835, 2 December 1929, Page 14

OLD SOLDIERS MEET AGAIN

FUNCTION AT BIRKENHEAD

Birkenhead, Birkdale and Northcote ex-servicemen held their first annual reunion at a smoke concert in the Victoria Hall. Birkenhead, on Saturdajevening. Between *7O and 100 were present. Dr. J. W. Craven presided. Apologies for absence were received from Sir Joseph Ward and the Right Hon. J. G. Coates. The visitors included Commodore G." Blake, MajorGeneral Sir George Richardson and Mr. E. H. Sharp, secretary of the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association.

Mr. W. S. Garrett proposed the toast of “Absent Comrades,” which was honoured by thirty seconds’ silence and the singing of a verse of “Eternal Father.”

j Sir George Richardson, in propos- ! ing the toast of the “Navy, Mercantile | Marine, and Air Force,” expressed appreciation of the work of the navy in the Great War. He reminded them of the 100,000 men convoyed overseas and the marvellous work of the convoying the constant stream of troops and wounded across the English Channel. Sir George paid a tribute to the Mercantile Marine in connection with Gal--' lipoli. They had kept the troops supplied with water, food and ammunition, and in doing' so their loss had been stupendous. Commenting on the good work done by ‘the air force, the general said that if the armistice had not been signed when it was, the air force would have carried the war into i the heart of Germany. | Commodore Blake, who was wel- | corned with cheers and the singing of : “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” said 1 he had only been a short time in New Zealand, but he felt quite at home among a gathering of men like this. “The navy,” he said, “is the life of the country, and I am' sure that everybody here appreciates that fact, more so here than they do in Ihe Old Country. Mr. W. J. Canty proposed the toast of the “Returned Soldiers’ Association,” and said the outcome of the reunion would be the formation of a local ex-servicemen’s association. Mr. Sharp replied and gave details of the growth of the association during the past twelve months and the good work that the association had done and was doing for the returned men and their dependants. A number of other toasts were honoured. The sum of £2 10s was collected for the roll of honour fund.