2nd Echelon Farewelled

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 17, 5 April 1940, Page 4

2nd Echelon Farewelled

SOLDIERS HONOURED

DANCES FOR SOLDIERS Second Echelon Men Guests Of Patriotic Committee A most enjoyable dance was given for men of the Second. Echelon on 26th March at a largely-attended gathering in the Exhibition Cabaret. About 500 guests were present and speeches were made by the mayor of Wellington, Mr. Hislop, and the mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr. Andrews. The hostesses were women members of the AN.A. Club an'd the Official Camp Entertainers. Miss Phyllis Bates acted as dance hostessMrs. Hislop was present and wore a frock of floral georgette in shades of autu,mn red and reseda green. • Mrs. J. W. Andrews also attended. Members of the Wellington Patriotic Committee, the A.N.A. Club and Official Camp Entertainers were present, among whom were Mrs. J- W. Heenan, Mrs. E. Luke, Mrs. F. H. Whatley, Mrs. E. Put tick, Mis. G- Webb, Mrs. A. Dennistoun Wood, Mrs. H. W. L. Saunders, Mrs. A. B. S,mith, Mrs. E. T. Toop, Mrs. M. 11. Millar, Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Norman, Mr. and Mrs. E. Wise, Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Bailey, Mrs. W. D. Gordon, Mr. mid Mrs. A. McNaughton, Mr. and Mrs. J. Murray, Mr. and Mrs. B. Joyce, Misses isohel Biggar, Powell. Valerie Neely, Denise Puttick, Betty Signal, Harper Allan, Messrs. E. Palliser, G. London, F. Jones. Gifts Presented by Friends. There was a very large attendance in the Aloera Community Hall on Monday night, when nine men - of the Second Echelon were entertained by their friends. The evening took the' form of a dance, Mr. T. Campbell being the master of ceremonies. In the unavoid able absence of Mr. W. Nash, Mr. B. Sergent, on behalf of the committee and those present tendered the warm (*st of good wishes to the men ami asked them to accept small gifts from their friends. He. presented each man with a fountain-pen and pencil combination, an unbreakable bottle of ink, and a tin of cigarettes. The men suit ably acknowledged the gifts and good wishes. The guests of the evening were Privates R. Brown, N. Bramley, J. McKee, P. McKee, W. Fleet, B. Burt, V. Smith, and F. Jefferis, and Sapper W McLaren. A similar gift was present ed to Mrs. D. Reynolds for her son, who left by the First Echelon. The committee comprised Mr. W. A. Flail chairman ; Mr. A. E. Sergent, secretary; Mesdames E. O’Connor, E M O’Connor,' T. Campbell and Miss. E O’Connor; Messrs. L. Rentoul, A. Jones, J. O’Connor and W. Morrison Residents’ Good Wishes. The Paekakariki Patriotic Society arranged a very enjoyable dance and card evening for the Paekakariki men of the Second Echelon. Mr. A. Smith (chairman) said it was very gratify ing to see so many present, and sped ally welcomed Mr. Lowry, M.P., and Mrs. Lowery. Four men had left wife the First Echelon, and the relatives would receive gifts on their behalf. Mr. Lowry wished the soldiers “gdod luck and good health” and pre sented gifts to the relatives of First Echelon men, Privates D. Wheeler, T. Grey, S. Pritchard, D. Gardiner, and to the Second Echelon soldiers present. Privates R. Peters, N. Horsfall. V. F. Searl and 11. J Lomax, and Mr. L. Mil ton (sailor). Mr. J. Wheeler, brother of Private D. Wheeler, in thanking the committee Mr. Lowry, and residents, said PaeKaka riki would always be “home” as

they went to school there. He was going into camp to go with the Third Echelon. The singing of "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows” followed tinceremony. SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED Parties For Men Of Second Echelon The Ngaio Hall was filled to capacity when a social evening and dance was tendered to the local members of rhe Second Echelon. Large and small flags were used in decoration and the stage was transformed by large bowls of red and white dahlias and blue daisies. At the beginning of the programme, a minute’s silence was observed to the memory of the late Prime Minister, Mr. Savage. The programme was in the hands of Mr. A. L. Franks, and Messrs. Oldfield, Grant and Langdale provided music. Dance extras were played by an accordion band. An enjoyable interlude was community singing conducted by Mr. W. Christian, with Mrs. A. R Chrisian at the piano. Mr. B. J. L. Lynneberg, on behalf of the patriotic committee and those present, extended the warmest good wishes to the men and paid tribute to their action in enlisting, stressing the righteousness of the cause for which- they were fighting. “When you leave Ngaio,’’ he said, “you will not be forgotten. Letters and parcels will come to you regularly from the district as a small measure of our deep thankfulness that you are helping to make secure for us this country that we love so much.”

The guests of honour .were Lieut. S. 11. Johnson, Sergeant W. G. Jude, Pri rates E. L. Barber, J. M. C. Chalmers, J. G. Beard, R. Bridge, J. Beck, Armstrong. F. K. Corbett, A. I. Goatham, T. M. Hood and I. W. A. Mackay. Cheers were called for the men as they received their gifts, and the same gifts will be forwarded to members of the First Echelon, who included Captain L Marshall. Privates P. Aplin. C. Bringans, S. Gosden, W. Gosden, J. E. Hurdley, C E. Holmes, F. Thorley. and T. Sims. The singing of “For They are Jolly Good Fellows” followed the ceremony.

Supper was served by members of the patriotic committee, assisted by the returned soldiers. .