Men Of Troopship Opawa Get Together

Chronicle (Levin), 21 May 1949, Page 4

Men Of Troopship Opawa Get Together

A jfij® bau'd-ciasp botwgop C. TStOuipspn, pf Auckiahdf aPii L. B. Bpjbpjv. of Mps^pl, the sypibol of the .meeting of ppawa personnel frpm all- points nprfh .and^ soufh, ojficially opened the rp.uniori! dinner of the cpmplement pf' flis Majesty's Troppship .Opawa to Palmerston North recently. Among those present were three; Levin veterans, Messrs E. Findsen, S. Worsfold and W. G. Clark. Oolonel A. W. Short, who was in the chair, welcomed the Mayor oi' Palmerston North (Mr. G. .Tre,main"e) and vhe president of the Palmerston North Returned -Services Association (Mr. G. Rennie:) . '■'We have had reunions dn many centres during past years and there is not one olace that would not welcome us back. I ask you men to keep it that .way,'-' said Colone Short when addressing the gather--ing. 'Gontinuing, the speaker said: "Too many people regard the Crown as a figurehead. The King and Queen are a symbol of permanency in your cpnstitution anc are the magnet for your loyalty and this reunion is just anothei expression of the loyalty you feel for the Crown aiid the British Empire:"

Mr. W. H. Cartwright proposea the toast to "Absent Members," Mr. L. Borrow replying. » The climax of - the evening was the 9 o'clock eeremony, a silent toast in mempry of those who did nbt return from overspas. In darkness the party sjtbod facing the flag during the chiming of Big Ben. Following a minute's si'ence, Mr. A. Pierard sang '-'Requiem," after which Binyoh's lines "We will remembe.r them," were. recited aloud. "I marvel at the spirit of comradeship which, originating in 1919, has survived over 30 years and is strong enough to draw you together ; in spite of the other attractions and obligatipns which have aris.en in the meantime," said Mr. Tremaine. Continuing, he wished the unit a succession of successful re-

unions. Led 'by the Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band, the parade marchpd around the Sauare to All Saints' Church, where a special service was held yesterday morning. Amopg those present were the Mayor and Maypress, and the city councillors and their wives. After the ' service the parade marched to the Cenotaph where a wreath .was laid. The unit then saluted the Cenotaph and edDuring the afternoon, the visitors and their wives were taken on a sight-seeing tour of Massey _ Colege, where Professor W. Riddet gave a brief outline 'of the history and- workings of the college. ' The party then returned to Palmerston North for an informal afternoon tea.