DOMINION R.S.A. HONOURS SIR KEITH PARK

Chronicle (Levin), 5 July 1947, Page 6

DOMINION R.S.A. HONOURS SIR KEITH PARK

(Special Correspondent.) LONDON, July 3. The opportunity of "honouring cne of New Zealand 's greatest warrior sons", was talcen by Mr. C. O. Bell when Air Chief Marshal Sir Iveitli Parlt attended the conference of the British Empire Service League to give aii address on Empire defence. Mr. Bell declared that it was the unanimous wish of the Dominion fuuin cil of the New Zealand Returned Serviees' Association, that the gohl badge of honorary life membership should be eonferred on Sir Keith. He added that he could think of no better setting than a conference representing the whole empire ' ' which Sir Keith served with such distinction ' Emphasising that the award was jealously guarded and required the unanimous approval of 100 branches assembled in council, Mr. Bell said it was an honour held by only 15 other men ineluding the King who was patron of the association, jthe Dukes of 'xloujeuter and Windsor, Viseount Mountbatten,-Major-General Freyberg, Sir Cyril Newall and Field Marshal Birdwood. After outlining Sir Keith 's career, Mr. Bell continued: "You will realise that a man cannot rise from the rank of bombadier in the artillery to Air Chief Marshal without having some outstanding qualities. Sir Keith has these in every way. There is.firstly liis own personal bravery, secondly his capacity for leadership, and t'hirdly,, one which marked him out above all others, he has not lost the common touch and boyishness that endeared him to everyone. " , Mr. Bell wished Sir Keith long years" of happiness, adding, "and may the prineiples and poliey of the association be always such that you will be proud to wear this badge." Sir Keith replied: "I feel greatly honoured, very flattered and a little embarrassed. ' ' He added that in the past year he had visited a nuniber of ex-servicemen 's organisations in Aus-, tralia, New Zealand and Soutli America. He congratulated them on the grand work they wrere doing and . said _ he sincerelv believed these organisations were doing a vitally important job in helping to maintain the spirit of comradeship built up during the war.