WELCOME HOME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 92, 23 July 1943, Page 5

WELCOME HOME

GREAT EDGECUMBE GATHERING TRIBUTE TO RETURNED MEN Never before has Edgecumbc Hall been packed Avith such a large and entlni.sias.tic crowd as on Tuesday night when a "welcome home dance was given to do honour to local men home on furlough. The hall had, been most artistically decorated by the ladies of the Patriotic and Farewell Committees assisted bv manj- willing helpers, and presented a most festive sight. The stage was banked with fern and greenery while large; bowls, of japonica were placed along by the footlights above. The words "Welcome Home" in letters a foot high were picked out in red camellias against a green background. With the ilags of the Allied Nations draping the. walls the effect was complete. The highlight of the evening "was the official welcomc home to the guests of honour. They were: Sgt. Major E. Rogers Ptc. K. Villis Pte. S. Hunt Pte. Erskine (Manawahe) Pte. Ansell (Matata) Pte. Mac Howell (Matata} Pte. Hidkey Ptc. T. Gaul Pte. Donaldson (Gisborne). Apologies were received from Dick Pcarse and J. Stewart, who were unable to be present. Piped Into Hall The men were, piped into the hall by the Caledonian pipers, with a guard of honour formed of returned soldiers of the, last war. When the National Anthem had been sung and the cheering subsided shoulder sprays of beautiful flowers were presented to the; mothers wives or partners of the guests of honour, by Mrs Radcliffe. Among these ladies was Mrs Ken Villis. the young bride whom Pte Ken Villis married in South Africa and who has been in New Zealand a little over a year.

Mr D. RadclifFe, President of the Edgccumbe Patriotic Committee, then introduced Mr I. B. Gow who gave the speech of welcome. Mr Gow said it gave him great pleasure to welcome the men on behalf of all assembled. He said that it was an occasion for great rejoicing but even in our joy we could not forget those who would never return and we would express our deep sympathy with ther families. He felt that those boys who had made the supreme sacrifice would not have wished any sadness to mar the joy of our welcome to their comrades.

"We Shall Remember Them" | He ic.lt that the well known lines "lliey shall not grow old as Ave that are left grow' old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning' 1 We will remember them." Expressed what wc felt adequately rind asked all to stand l'dr a moment's silence in memory of them. Mr Gow then referred to the 2nd N-Z.E.F. in action, their glorious deeds in Greece and Crete—the hard Libyan campaign when so often they were lighting an enemy better equipped than themselves. Such courage and heroism had they displayed that Mr Churchill had. referred to them as "balls of lire." "When you -left us," said Mr Gow, "we were confident that you would uphold the traditions of the first N.Z.E.F. but not only did you hold our banner high but you added such lustre to it. as we had not thought possible." He wished them all an enjoyable time on furlough and only hoped we might never have to bid farewell to them again. Mens Appreciation After tlie prolonged applause that followed Mr Gow's words, Sgt-Major Rogers replied briefly on behalf, of the returned men, thanked all present for the hearty welcome Avliich was appreciated fully. A splendid supper was then served, the tables having bee*i decorated with vases of spring llowers. During the evening Mr RadcliHe announced that in token of remembering the many who were still, overseas at. this time, it had been dceided to make a special collection to send a Christmas parcel valued at £1 to every man from the district. Willing helpers then carried round a blanket for donations and so generous was the response that with subscriptions and collection the sum of £42 was raised. A number of envelopes arc available for those who (tkmiimrcd ia next column)

missed this opportunity of. giving: . and every donor of £1 or .more will have the privilege of having; hij> or lier name included in a soldier's pared as the donor of it. Dancing to the Gaiety Boys Band*and the. Pipe Band con?inucd until! an early hour in the>- rooming;. lucky spot waltz was \yoii by MiiStiE. Gow and Mr J. The Edgecumbfe Patriotic, Co raw--mittcc and Farewell Committee are*» to be congratulated on an exocW \ently managed and. inQSt fuftctioo,