THAT OLD DIGGER SPIRIT

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1930, Page 11

THAT OLD DIGGER SPIRIT

COMRADESHIP RECAPTURED RE-UNION OF RETURNED SOLDIERS “A WORTHY COMMEMORATION.” When over 400 men crowded into St. Mary's Hall, New Plymouth, yesterday afternoon the spirit ot Anzac was brought back once more for a few brief hours. Outside the world pursued its usual course, a little more seriously, perhaps, because Anzac Day had recalled sombre memories. But this new world either never knew or had forgotten that grand, great-hearted comradeship born” in the trenches in 1914-18 and spread thence through every land that took up arms. It was that splendid "Digger” comradeship, that intangible but all-potent spirit of another day that was recaptured yesterday. It did not exercise its influence immediately. The men stoood talking in groups on the footpath, exchanging war reminiscences and renewing acquaintances. The spirit was not on° them. They trooped into the hall and sat themselves at the long tables in a very jolly mood. Still the spirit hac not possessed them. Afternoon tea was served while the orchestra played lively modern dance tunes. The men were slipping away from the toils and worries of a world returned to peace. The spirit was certainly hovering near, but the time had not yet come for it to envelop the gathering with its genial atmosphere. At last the moment arrived. The orchestra played again. It was a song that caught “Digger” spirit and fastened it securely on the men — • “Pack up your troubles in your old

kit bag “And smile, smile, smile. . . .” The men sang it lustily. Once more they were just Diggers... The social distinctions • of the world were swept completely away, all levelled , out into the vast plain of comradeship. Song followed song, each one conjuring up some golden memory of war days—memories that were priceless, despite the ooze of mud, the hours in sodden trenches, and the dangers of flying shells and bullets. “Mademoiselle From Armentiers,” "Blighty,” “Tipperary,” “There’s a Long, Long Trail,” “Good-by-ee,” and many more melodies once again expressed their nfessages of goodwill between man and man, whether he was an officer or a private. And that was what Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Burgess accomplished when they invited all ex-servicemen to be their guests in St. Mary’s Hall yesterday. ' “IT SEEMS A MIRACLE.” Major-General Young, G.O.C. New Zealand Forces, adequately expressed the feelings and gratitude of the men. “This has been an extraordinarily happy day for me,” he said. “If anyone had told me at Sling in 1919 that in New Plymouth in 1930 we should all have accepted the invitation of a good lady of the town, who had said ‘Come and have a cup of tea with me,’ I believe I should have said ‘Go and get your head read.’ And yet to-day Mrs. Burgess hag got you together. To me it seems a miracle. How better can we commemorate those other fellows?”

He was sure, he added, that if their absent comrades could only come in the door now and hear them singing the songs of other days they would be pleased that such a gathering was being held. In fact, all the ceremonies that day had impressed him greatly. His first favourable impression had been gained that morning at 8.30 when 200 children brought wreaths and laid them on the sward below the Cross of Sacrifice. If ceremonies of that type could be arranged throughout New Zealand Anzac Day and its meaning would never be forgotten. He would certainly suggest to General Russell that the Returned Soldiers’ Association should foster the idea throughout the Dominion. It was desirable that ex-servicemen should visit the Cenotaph and attend the Anzac Day service, but if the spirit of the day were to be preserved it was necessary to teaeh it to the children. New Plymouth was fortunate in having Mrs. Burgess, proceeded the general. T& only other place where such a reunion as this was still held was Ashburton, as far as he knew. There & Mr. Berryman had organised a re-union at night every year since the war. "We must take our hats off to Mrs. Burgess for thinking of. this means of holding us together,” said General Young. “I am sure the attendances will grow even larger than that of to-day, for as you grow older you get lonelier, and it is wonderful to meet some of your old cobbers for a yarn. It takes you back years and freshens you up.” One pleasant memory retained by him of New Plymouth, he continued, was the march past of the returned xen when he had unveiled the Cross of Sacrifice in the cemetery some time ago. It was one of the best marches past of ex-servicemen he had seen. They had not marched so well that day, but he recognised that there had been, difficulties in connection with the arrangement of the parade on the oval. INVITE GENERAL RUSSELL. An old soldier who would be very proud to come to one of these gatherings was General Russell, and he suggested he should be invited next year. Voices: We will invite both of you. Mr., Scotty Anderson paid a tribute to the work of the Returned Soldiers’ Association for what it had done for him. lie said he had served with the Canadian forces ami had come here in 1919, and since then Tad never been out of work.

Prolonged cheers greeted Licut.Colonol Jardine when he rose. This, he said, had been a perfect day. He was cure that was the most pleasing way in which they could spend Anzac Day. He marvelled at the numbers that attended this re-union. It seemed there was a re-union wave sweeping the exservicemen of the Dominion. That was a grand thing, for it was a great opportunity to commemorate in a fitting manner the friends they had lost. He then asked the men to sing “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows” in honour of Mr. and Mrs. Burgess. After the applause had subsided Mr. Burgess said it gave hi-%t and his wife very great pleasure to entertain the men. He was glad they were not allowing old associations to be forgotten, it did them good to meet to talk over old times.

Mrs. Burgees paid • a tribute to all those associated with her in organising this annual gathering. Without their help they : could hoi carry on. If the men had plenty to oat and drink and

enjoyed themselves she was satisfied. The numbers had grown, and what was to happen next year she did not know, but ehe expected they would overcome that difficulty, just as the men had overcome their difficulties at the front. She desired to thank. General Young for his co-operation at the children’s service that morning. He had told them something of value that they would always remember. She had to thank the teachers, too, for the interest they had taken in the service by encouraging the children to go. Cheers were given for Lieut.-Colonel C. H. Weston, who was present, for tho lady helpers and for Captain and Mrs. Hartnell. Vocal numbers arranged .by Mr. R. L. Cooper wore given by Mrs. U. J. Harris and Mr. F. Baird. Mrs. Cooper played the accompaniments. The Tip-Top Orchestra played selections and the accompaniments for the community singing. Mr. A. J. Huggett recited.