BACK FROM GALLIPOLI.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 561, 26 November 1915, Page 8

BACK FROM GALLIPOLI.

RETURNED SOLDIERS WELCOMED MEN OF THE 13th REGIMENT. _____ Officers and men of the 13th j (North Canterbury and Westland) I Regiment, who have returned from the front, were entertained at din- j ner in the Red Lion Hotel, Rangiora, I last evening. . Captain J. R. Conlan, | of the 13th Regiment, presided, and: the guests were: LieutenantColonel A. E. Loach, Major B. Jordan, Corporal R. Munn, Privates Gilson, Milner, and Sharp, and also Lieutenant A. N. Oakey (Engineers). Amongst other's present were:—-Chaplain-Colonel F. P. Fendall, Major T. R. Cresswell, Major G. Humphries, Captain T. A. Will, N.Z.M.C., W. Attwill, C. H. Hewlett, and F. A. Clark, Lieutenants Lambie, Bell, and Breach, Mr J. H. Blackwell (Mayor of Rangiora), Mr F. Hbrrell (chairman Rangiora County Council), Mr A. Ironsides (president Rangiora Defence Rifle Club), Captains J; B. Cresswell and E. PapprilL After the toast of "The King" had been honoured, Major Cresswell proposed that of "Patriotic Organisations," to which response was made by Messrs Blackwell, Jennings, and Horrell.

The chairman proposed the toast of "Our Returned Soldiers." On behalf of the Regiment he extended a welcome to their returned comrades. He was pleased to greet Colonel Loach, who, with the late Colonel Richardson, had done so much towards placing the Regiment on a sound footing. They regretted very much that he had been wounded so early in the Gallipoli campaign, and hoped that he would speedily recover. He had been wounded while carrying out an important, reconnaissance well in advance of the first line trenches. The chairman also welcomed Mayor Jordan, who had done signal service both, as a civilian and as a soldier. Another guest was Lieut. Oakey, who represented the "brains of the Army," and who had been one of the first New Zealanders to be decorated with the Military Cross. Lieut-Colonel Loach, responding to the toast, expressed his keen regret at having been put out of'action so early. .He had been greatly impressed by the look of grim determination on the faces of the New Zealanders when ,they landed at Gallipoli. The 13th Regiment had done splendid service, and its company, with that from the 14th Regiment, under command of Major Jordan, had saved the whole position by its magnificent defence of Walkers' Ridge. He asked for the most considerate treatment of men returning sick. They were deserving of the highest praise for the way they endured privation without complaint.

Major Jordan advocated the set-ting-up of a committee in every centre to keep track of returned soldiers. He paid a high trihute to the work of the West Coast miners in; his company in the construction of defences and listening galleries on Walker's Ridge. He gave a glowing description of the treatment accorded the rank and file of the New Zealand Forces in the hospital at Walton-on-Thames.

Lieutenant Oakey expressed the obligation felt by the engineers to the infantry, who had often been able to give excellent hints and advice.

Corporal Munn also responded

Other toasts honoured were "The First Canterbury Regiment," proposed by Chaplain-Colonel Fendall, aiid responded to by Captain C. H. Hewlett; "Our Comrades at the Front," proposed by Colonel Loach; "The Ladies," proposed by Captain T. A. Will, who referred to the splendid work done in connection with the Red Cross and Lady Liverpool "Fund, Mr "W. E. Barton and Major Jordan responding.

During the evening songs were contributed by Lieutenant C. E. Bell, Messrs Brown, and Ironsides.