AU REVOIR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 104, 29 December 1939, Page 5

AU REVOIR

FAREWELL TO LOCAL BOYS parade and presentations WIDE PUBLIC INTEREST I "We are gathered here to-day 'to wish you men of the Main Body, our heartiest congratulations. I say Main Body because -■I feel it has more meaning than 'First Echelon, and I am sure that the ex-Diggers present will "■be willing and proud to have you bear the title." It was in this manner that the Mayor, Mr B. S. Bar it, opened his •address to the local members of the i s , first overseas contingent who were •on Final Leave over the Christmas hafcVGays, and who took part in the 'Sflfeial parade through the Strand to the Winter Show Building last Saturday morning where the official farewell was staged. The plans of the special committee, set up to promote the gathering went off to schedule and the whole ceremony achieved a far success than aa as aritiei:/ru- '' 'ed. In snite of short notice sixty zmembers of the R.S.A. turned out ifor the narade at the Rock, where the troops wore mustered. Tha 'Caledonian Society's Pipe Band alimost at fuli strength led off down 'the Strand which was packed with spectators, who if they did not actually cheer had many a friendly word for the men who were goinS .away. On Parade. 'Those taking part were: Majors F. Prldeaux, C. F. Thomas, and r G. H. Whyte (Tauranga), Segt F.H. Stubbs, Cpl I. A. Stewart, Cpl Le F. Waugh, L.Cpl J. Buddie. L.Cpl A. J. Dean, Ptes F. A. Mead, J. C. Find lay, Tpr F. A. Burt, Ptes E. R. Stokes, G. A. McGregor, M. B. Goodall, H. H. Woods, H. G. Dodd, G. A .Rust, R. WaddelL, E. H. Nicholls, W. H. Nowland, J.A. H. C. Davies, C. I. Rawson, R. Rawson. Members absent were: J. Calcutt, H. G. Collins, R. Grapp, E. W. Clark, D. M. Fogarty, R. I. Goldsmith, C. R. Hunt. A. Kinnard, W. R. Keogh, F. J. Lawson. A. M. Martin, J. S. jNlcManaway, L. R. Preston. L. W. Roberts, J. E. Rus sell,, W .H. Sargeant, H. P. Sanders. W. G. Walker, A. J. Watt, J. Walters, and Major R. G. Thompson Citizens Farewell. Mr Barry made a particularly telling speech in the show hall where the two sections were drawn up in the centre of the building ; and the surrounding space packed to capacitj r by five hundred onlook- • ers. Addressing the men, he said: ' "You it was, who first heard and ; answered the call, fully realising that what you Avere enlisting for was not likely to be a glorious picnic, but knowing what modern Avai ifare is and Avhafc it means. As in * the last Avar j'ou will go to< "uphold a glorious name and great 'traditions, made even yet more gloirious bj r men from NeAA'.Zealand in : the RoyalNNayA _ y and in the Air

Force." The Empire, said Mr Barry beilieved it was fighting for a cause vwhich was right and just, and that it was striving to save civilisation. TFrom all parts of the Common* wealth men were rallying as they -were to the colours. As many were •aware there were loc&l boys on the Achilles in the recent naval battle •offvSouth America. He was sure had plbyed their part as brave !ly as any, and felt also that those who were leaving Whakatane in a capacity could toe relied mpon to do the same. The New Zealand soldier in the last war had been ranked as one • of the foremost in the British Army and was therefore one of the best in the world. "I wish you all," he concluded, ' "a very merry Christmas, and above - ;all a safe return to this country." by Deputy Mayoress. On the call of Major C. F. Thomas ■ each member of the local forcfi : stepped forward and received at the hands of the Deputy Mayoress Mrs S. S. Shapley, an Eversharp pencil, and the applause and good Wishes of the assemblage. A brief period of community singing, limited to war-time airs such as 'Pack Up Your Troubles' followed after which Major Prideaux conveyed the tha.nks .of the : men to His Worship the Mayor .. <Continued at foot of next column.)

Appreciation. The gifts were deeply appreciated, lie said, and would serve to remind them all of the kindly l'eeligns. of the people of Whakatane. • All who were leaving had enlisted on a voluntary basis, and most of them were single men. It was only when a few married men were required that it was decided to include them as officers. He only hoped that the excellent response would be maintained and that Wha katanq-s proud reputation < would be kept ,up. All present joined in rendering musical honours after which a light lunch was served by a willing band of lady helpers. I LEFT FOR CAMP FIRST ECHELON MEN Groups of friends and relations combined to farewell the men of the First Echelon who were recalled to camp shortly after the Christmas week-end. There were scenes reminiscent of the early days of the Great War at the Taneatua and. Awakeri stations, as the men departed, some for Papakura, others fpr Hopuhopu, and others again for Burnham camp in the South Island.