Returned Servicemen Have Happy Reunion

Chronicle (Levin), 9 December 1948, Page 3

Returned Servicemen Have Happy Reunion

Over 100 diggers and Kiwis from all corners of the' district answered the call of "on parade" at the Druids'Hall on Saturday evening for the Shannon Returned Services' ASsociation's annual reunion. Several members of JForce were also present as guests ."of the association. The N.Z.R.S.A. was represented by Mr. H. 1 b. Burdekin, vice-president. The Levin branch was represented by Mr. C. E. Wiseley (vicerpresident) and "Foxton by Mr. T^- E. Douds h (president) and the Tokomaru Sub-branch were present in full force. The *Tin Hat Club members, Messrs. Morrison, Jones. Morris, Baybutt (president) , Tahiwi and Wood, kept the gathering entertainefd with an excellent vprogramme. 'Mr. Tom East, of" Foxton, also assisted at the niano. All ex-servicemen were very pleased to be honoured with the .presence of Rev. M. J. S. Wheeler, the popular padre, who saw service, in the" Navy both as a seaman and a padre. The toastmaster was Mr. J. T. Bovis. After the loyal toast, the following toasts were proposed ip the usual manner: — "Absent Comrades," proposed by Mr. R. S. Downes; "J-Force and Ofiicial Welcome," by Mr. B. "Clayton (president of the Shannon branch) and replied to by Mr. T. Spring; "The President and VicePresidents of the N.Z.R.S.A." — Mr. F. O. Burtt— ;Mr. H. B Burdekin; "The Visitors," Mr.\ V. J. Bateman — Mr. C. E. Wiseley and other visitors; "The Entertainers — Mf . S. H. Roberts — Mr. Baybutt; "The Padre — Mr. H. D. Aitchison — jRev. M.' J. S. Wheeler j Following the completion of the I toast list, the gathering was dejclared informal and members mixed together to exchange stories and revive activities and actions of World Wars I and n All who attended expressed great pleasure tin the success of the function and thanks were extended to the entertainment committee for its fine work in arranging the reunion.