THE REINFORCEMENTS.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13757, 21 April 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE REINFORCEMENTS.

ANOTHER DRAFT FROM NELSON

A HEARTY SEND-OFF

(From "The Colonist," April 19.)

A l..rge crowd assembled on the wharf on Saturday morning to bid farewell toj -Nelson's draft for the Sixth Reinforcements of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The men fell in at the Drills'.ied, where they were briefly addressed by- Captain llo'binson, area officer, and then inarched through the principal streets to Port Nelson. En route they were cheered by groups of citizens. Strings of flags were hung across Haven road, and bunting was displayed on some flagstaff's. On the wharf the men were suitably addressed by the Mayor fMr W. Lock) and Mr T. A. H. Field, M.P. The Mayor said he could not let the men leave the ci+y without telling them how much the citizens of Nelson appreciated th>, bravo, noble, and self-sacri-ficing spirit, which ha-i pronipted them to co:ne forward at this time to fight for their King and country. They were no doubt going to the battlefields of Europe, where their country was engaged in the most awful conflict the world had ever seen, and there they would not only be fighting for the nation, but for freedom and humanity. The Mayor said he had no doubt the men would uphold the honour of the Dominion, and he wished them good luck and God-speed. He trusted they would have good health and success in arms, and that it would not be long before there would be a lasting and honoaiablo peace. He said he knew that maiiv of th^m had sacrificed a great deal in order to show their pat* riotLsm, and all weie leaving friends who were near and dear to them, but they carried with them their good wishes, and they would endeavour to keep Uiem in kindly remembrance. He wished them a good voyage and a safe return.

Mr T. A. H. Field, M.P., gave a brief but spirited address. He said the war 'oad revealed to the world two features of the Empire, which had presented a. united front to the foe. The departure of the men thai day was another evidence that Nelson was doing .'jer share in the struggle, and he was sure they would do their part in upholding the traditions of Nelson and the Empire. On behalf of Ahe district he wished them God-speed and a happy icturn.

On'the call of the Mayor, throe hearty cheers wore given for the departing soldiers. Tha men then embarked, and as the Pateeua moved away from the wharf more cheers wero given on the call o$ the member for the district, and these were heartily responded to by the men on hoard.

Lieutenant Harley, Adjutant 12th Regiment, goes as far as Trentham with the men.

Following is a complete list of t<he men who left: —

Infantry:—A. H. Rose, A. Westrupp, J. K. Th'orne, J. R. Burnett, S. Willoughby, C. W. Stobie, R. Woo.dham, AT. Fawcett, A. H. L. Hahn, J. C. Wylio. J- C. H. GodHff, M. O.'Rowe, C Hili, C N. csowman. G. A. Swanson, <;! C. Baker, W. W. Mears. J. K. Ratfliffe. K. W. Douglas, P. Weir, W. A. •VGrady, M. Coghlan. C C Campbell, R. R. Hodgkinson, A. J. Holdaway, F. G. Tavlor.

Artillery:—Gunners: E. G. Conway, R. E. Everett, B. H. Sharp, V. I. lllingworth, R. A. Ricketts, C. M. Rickfctts. R. Hutchinson. Drivers: S. J. Watte, J. Coutts. G. R. Scott, O. E. Bridger, D. Philips, P. W. Franklyn, G. J. Nesbitt, H. J. Ricketts. Mounted:—J. Wallace D. H. Godfrey, H. Arnold W. E. Weld. Ambulance:—J McGee. A. C. Farghor.