WELLINGTON REGIMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16723, 26 April 1920, Page 7

WELLINGTON REGIMENT.

RE-UNION OF OFFICERS. DINNER AT PALMERSTON NORTH. Per Press Association. PALMERSTON N., April 23. The first re-union of officers or tue Wellington Regiment since the war was held at Palmerston North on Saturday nieUt. About 150 officers were present from all parts of the Dominion, and the chair was occupied by Colonel Cunningham, U. 5.0.. and amongst others present wore; General Largess, G. 8., C. D. 5.0., General Meidrum, D. Colonel Weston, D. 5.0., Colonel Cox, D. 5.0., Padre Walls, and J. A. Nash, Mayor of tiio town. On thy stage were the colours of thu 'three Wellington Regiments, presented to them by tiio King; also a couple of laurel wreaths, one with the motto; ■Unladed heroism,” under which wore the names of the battles at the Anzac landing, Capo Holies, SuvJa, Egypt, and Ypres. The other was headed: “Laurels imperishable,” with the Somme. Flors, Passchacndale, Les Qucsnoy, Mcssines, and Cologne below. General Mervillc, proposing “Tiie Regiment,” hoped the re-union would be made an annual fixture. From _ the time the regiment started at Gallipoli they had made a name for themselves and they still kept up their traditions when they were divided into tWo battalions, which did excellent work when Lieutenant Andrews got the first V.C. for his battalion at Passchacndale, and Colonel Weston was wounded. He traced the excellent work done by the regiment during the war. Tho first Wellington Battalion had volunteered for the mast important work and the Brigade made a record by taking 9S guns in one day at Lcs Qucsnoy. He referred to the good work done by Colonels Hart and Turnbull, who were two of tho best officers in tho New Zealand forces and they were well seconded by many others. Padre Walls, who was with tho 2nd Battalion for a long time looked after his men well under most exceptional circumstances and visited the front line every day. Hs' concluded by congratulating the regiment on its esprit de corps and said that if the good spirit engendered wove perpetuated it would bo for the benefit of New Zealand as a whole. General Hart, in responding to the toast, said it was most lifting that the re-union should have been held in Palmerston North, which was virtually the birthplace of the regiment. As showing what tho regiment, had done, General Hart mentioned tho August battle on Gallipoli, where the regiment went into action 700 strong, and came out with a roll-call of 70. The manner in which it pulled itself together after that tel-rible ordeal was a credit to it and was indicative of the, pluck with which the men were imbued. A great deal was done in the way of cementing tho friendship of its various unite by re-unions at the front and they should make this an annual fixture. Though not by any moans,a military nation New Zealand should always keep up her military training, for they never knew what might happen. Lieut.-Colonel Turnbull, in proposing the toast of “Absent Comrades,” referred to the great sacrifice- those who had gone west had made for tho country in giving up lives for duty. They should feel, proud to honour the memory of such bravo men. .The toast was drunk in silence.

General Burgess, proposed the toast of “Territorial Regiments.” Lr doing so ho paid a high tribute to, tho Australians with whom, though being a New Zealand officer, ho had served. They wore wonderful fighters and held tho New Zealand soldiers in tho highest 'esteem and were always quite satisfied when they were working in conjunction with Now Zealanders. The war had brought about a comradeship between tho men of these two countries which he trusted would long continue. He spoke very highly of the training of the territorials, which had practically been the parents of the regiment. In responding, General Melville said ho felt it an honour to command the AVcllington District. They had to thank General Godley for having instituted the Territorials, which were undoubtedly the foundation of the expeditionary forces. They had every reason to bo proud of the Wellington Regiment, which had sprung from the Territorials, and ho trusted many of the officers who had seen service would come in and aid the movement.'

Lieut.-Colonel H. Holme, Lieut.Colonel E. P. Cox, and General Hart also responded to tie toast. The lastnamed, in his remarks, stated that it was quite on the cards that New Zealand might at no distant date hare to defend herself from an outside nation, ami it was therefore necessary'to be always prepared, and there was no otherway to do this than to strengthen the Territorials. This could host bo done by officers who had experience, of actual warfare offering their services in that force.

Colonel Weston, in proposing “Other Units.of the N.Z.8.F.,” said that the experience gained in the late war had given them all perfect confidence in the men of New Zealand as -soldiers who could hold their own with any in the world. Pessimists, who prophesied industrial troubles, should remember that these men could always bo relied upon to do their duty in keeping essential services going in case of emergency. General Melville, who, was in command of the New Zealand mounted men in Egypt, in responding for the Wellington , Military District, expressed strong approval of General Godloy’s foresight in establishing the Territorials. He said there was no doubt about the urgency that the officers who -had been at the front should give every assistance to the Territorials. Sooner or later another war must come in which wo should probably bo involved. _ As long as justice and injustice existed in the world and the opinions of men clashed there would be wars. It would be absolutely wrong for the authorities to send out men not properly trained and therefore the Territorials should be strengthened by experienced officers wlio had been through the mill joining them.

.The other toasts honoured wore: “The Press,” and “Tho Chairman,” and a very successful gathering was brought to a conclusion.