DRUMS COME HOME.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20222, 5 February 1934, Page 1

DRUMS COME HOME.

Germans Return Trophies to Highland Regiment. ENVOYS OF AMITY AND PEACE. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrigh t. (Received February 5, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, February 3. The Bremen's sailors carried the Gordon Highlanders’ faded and split drums ashore at Southampton whilst the ship’s band played a march. General Sir lan Hamilton, waving his hand, shouted “ Deutschland auf wiedersehen,” and the sailors responded with cheers. An escort of Gordon Highlanders met the drums at Farnborough and marched to Aldershot, where they were received by a battalion parade, including three ex-servicemen, who carried the drums at Ostend in 1914. General Sir lan Hamilton, addressing the parade, said: “ I have brought back the drums, which once set young fend generous hearts beating with thoughts of war. Thev are now returned as envoys of amity and peace.” Colonel M’Clintock read President von Hindenburg’s message, emphasising his pleasure in returning the drums. Thereupon drummer boys picked up the drums and trooped them down the parade, whilst pipers skirled the regimental march “ Cock o’ the North.” The drums were left behind when the Gordons, under orders, hurriedly left Ostend during the war.