GUNNERS MEET AGAIN

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 642, 21 December 1932, Page 4

GUNNERS MEET AGAIN

More Than 500 Present at Reunion. Over five hundred gunners and drivers attended last evening aj. an artillerymen’s reunion, embracing all who served in that branch of the army in the Great War, the Boer War, previous j campaigns and territorial units down to the present day. The accommodation at the Caledonian Hall was taxed to its uttermost for what must be reckoned one of the most successful reunions Christchurch has known. The chairman. Colonel Wickens, said that the gathering was fully up to expectation and a splendid forerunixr to similar assemblies. The toast of the Returned Soldiers’ Association was proposed by Colonel Gard’ner, who referred to the work of that organisation in most eulogistic terms. Responding, Mr H. Fleck congratulated the gunners on their splendid turn-out. The association, he said, had done its best to look after the interests of the returned men. There were many instances where the association’s intervention had saved soldiers’ interests. It was to the association’s credit that pensions were not cut to the extent of £134,000. To-day returned soldiers were “up against it.” Most, through war service, were not as fit as ordinary men, and that made it doubly hard. From April to November 1, the association had spent £3366 in finding work and relief, and had distributed 1371 bags of coal. That was only an indication of the work done. Mr J. D. Hutchison, proposing the toast of The Artillery Association, said that the association was formed a year ago to foster the tradition and spirit of the artillery. There was a Territorial Association also, and those bodies had been brought into being largely on account of the abolition of the compulsory training system. “Other Units” was proposed by Colonel G. Beattie and responded to by Colonel H. Hurst. Guests from othefr units were:—Mr H. Fleck (R.S.A.), Captain O. F. Baker (Canterbury Regiment), FlyingOfficer Coull (N.Z.A.F.), Commander Kersley (R.N.V.R.), and Colonel H. Hurst (N.Z.M.R.) Items were given by Messrs F. Moran. L. Fleming, K. Sharp, C. Lawrence, W. Toomey, Fox Brothers, C. Romerill, L. Scrimshaw, W. J. Lawrenson.