VICTORY REUNION

Chronicle (Levin), 29 November 1946, Page 3

VICTORY REUNION

WELL ORGANISED FUNCTION On Saturday evening second war members of the Shannon Returned Services' Association entertained South African War veterans and men of the first world war at a victory reunion in the Druids' Hall. The function was unique, being the first known occasion when "old digs" have been entertained by the "Kiwis." Credit must be given to the comi mittee who conducted the function for the able manner in which arrangements were carried out. As each of the guests entered the hall they were presented with a souvemr booklet, which contained a roll of honour of those who had lost their lives in the second world war, a full I list of those who left the district to Iserve overseas, as well as the usual soldier stories and a toast list. In opening the proceedings, the toastmaster, Mr. B. Clayton, a vicepresident of the local association, extended a welcome to the many visitors, which included Mr. B. J. Jacobs, Dominion president of the R.S.A., members of the Tin Hat Club, of Wellington, and Mr. F. Thurston, an old Shannon R.S.A. worker. A number of apologies were also received. The toast of "The King" was proposed in the usual manner. Other toasts were as follows:"The President and Vicepresidents of the N.Z.R.S.A.," proposed by Mr. J. Ritchie and replied to by Mr. B. Jacobs; "The Old Diggers," Mr. V. J. Bateman, Mr. S. W. Barber; "The Hosts," Mr. S. H. Roberts, Mr. L. Higgott; "The Entertainers," Mr. D. Aitchison, Mr. Len'Morris, of the Tin Hat Club; "Absent Comrades," Mr. R. S. Downes. During the evening items were presented by Messrs. W. Luff, Ron Williams, Len Morris, A. Cooper, w. Jones and George Tynan, all of Wellington, and Messrs. N. Richardson and I. R. Hemmingson rendered vocal numbers. Mr. Ken Thomson gave a number of piano-accordeon numbers to which many joined in singing the choruses. In- the course of his remarks, Mr. Jacobs stated that it was indeed a pleasure to come to Shannon for the reunion, and he was very pleased to see so many present. He said that the returned men should stick together and make the R.S.A. a strong body to work for the benefit of the returned serviceman. He felt sure after seeing the gathering at Shannon he could report to his committee that all returned men there were working to their ufull^siti extent for the good of the association.