"CRADDOCK'S MEN.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1294, 24 November 1911, Page 3

"CRADDOCK'S MEN.

SECOND CONTINGENT REUNION. "Qraddock's Men;" "otiicnvise the Second New Zealand Contingent, bold tlio.ir first reunion at Godljer s rooms, Cuba Street, Wednesday oT«uirj;. There was a good attendance of members. Colonel Craddock, who is now in England, wrote to say that ho would have liked to be present, but that ten thousand miles of land and sea were too much even for '.'second contingenters." Amongst these present were Colonel Bobin, Major Smith, Captain Sommerville (in'the chair), Captain Dean, Qmirter-Master-Sergeaut Clarke and Sergeant-Major Street. It was originally intended to hold the reunion on fsoveruber 2i), the anniversary of the affair at Rheuoster Kop, whore the "Second" left twenty, out of the 63 who went into action, githgr killed or wounded on the field. During the evening many old comrades of the African War met and "swapped stories" of the war days. When the toast "Fallen Comrades" was -honoured in silence.- it was coupled with the names of many who gave up their lives on the field. ■ The toast of "The King" was proposed by the chairnian_, as was also tho toast "Tho Army and Navy." In replying to the lat(er toast, Colonel Kobin paid n tribute to the efficiency, of tlio British' Navy, stating that it was, easily the finest in the world. Though the Regular Amy was not numerically • strong it was just as efficient. Ho also referred to the system of military training adopted by New Zealand and Australia and considered that had tho system been in operation during the Transvaal war, instead of sending contingents, tho colonies would have sent regiments. "Fal-. len Comrades" was proposed by Farrier T,.' O'Callaghan, "Absent Comrades-and Friends of other Contingents" was proposed by Q.M.S. Clarke and responded to by 'Sergeant-Major -Slreet._ Other toasts honoured were: "The. Ladies," ami.-."Tho Press." Songs were rendered by Messrs. T. E. .Tones, Af. Cameron, and G. .HoorJ. It was unanimously decided to make the reunion an annual fiituro and the next one will be held at Christchurch. A committee consisting of Messrs. E. E. Robinson, W. Grafar, W. M'Beath, Miller, L. Home, .T. O'Dwyer, W. Scott Higcrinson, with power to add to their number, was set up to make suitable arrangements.