FIRST CONTINGENT REUNION VETERANS OF SOUTH AFRICAN WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 23, 22 October 1917, Page 7

FIRST CONTINGENT REUNION VETERANS OF SOUTH AFRICAN WAR

The annual reunion of the First <*!ontineent is to be held to-morrow, and will be presided over by Major-General Sir A. W. Robin, C.8., K.C.M.G., who was in command o£ the unit eighteen years ago. The animal report of the contingent refers to the splendid part many mem* bers of the association hava taken or are taking in the great war. The First N.ZiM.R. was the emallest unit ever dispatched overseas from a British Dominion and the first one, if an l Australian cavalry unit used in the Sudan is excluded. The sma-llness of the unit (214 all ranks) is again mentioned in order to emphasise the comparative largeness of its contribution to His Majesty's Forces during the prevailing great war. Since members last met a further number of "Firsts" have reentered tho Service and are employed on the various fronts. Following is a. complete list as far i,is can be ascertained of the members of tho association itho have been killed in action, who aw still serving, or who have returned to New Zealand and elsewhere from the front: —

Killed in Action—Lieutenant P. T. Emerson, E.S.M. C. W- H. Bould, Corporal J. Aitken. On Service or Keturned.—MajorCitneral R. H. Davies, C.8.: BrigadierGeneral H..D. O. Ward, C.M.G., R.A.; Colonel J. Q. Hughes, C.M.G., D.5.0.; Lieutenant-Colonels D'A. ChaytOr. W. R. N. Jladocks, C.M.G., D.5.0., R,A., J. H. Whyte, D.5.0.; Majors G. R. Miller, E.A. (wounded), M. E. Lindsay, D.5.0., J. Matson, E. Harrowell (wounded), H. 6. Orbfll, G. Mitchell (wounded), B. Bartlett, D.5.0., C. R. Neale, W. C. Morrison, F. A. Wood, M.C. (wounded), A. H. Wilkie, H. W. Smith, A. Batehelar (wounded); Captains W. T. Pitt, J. .T. Raynes, A. la C. Bartfop, D. B. Cardale; Lieutenants B. J. Freeth (wounded), S. Joyce, R. Witheford, C. M. Lewin, E. Valintinc; Sergeant-Major'W. T. Burr; Q.M. Sergeants N. J. C. MlDonald, W. S. Pavkes;, Sergeants J. Hedges,- W. M<ahood, W. Johnston, , F. Willis; Corporals T. W. Browne, E.AV. Moore, 11. D. Coutts, Q.S., W. Wilton, R. W. Crawler, C. Newman (wounded) ; Privates C. Hanson, T. Jlaunder F O'Shea.

In Camp.—Sergeant-llajor' F. Fox, Q.M. Sergeant J. A. Barty.

The committee has during tho yea-r invested a sum of ,£SO Bs. in New Zealand War Loan certificates, valued at 2GB. There is continued evidence of the vitality of the association, tho enthusiasm being devoid of noise and productive of little correspondence. However, when a member writes to the secretary it is always with the liveliest regurd for all his i'ollow-mombers, and appreciation! of tho "Bulletin," which aids in the fraternity of tho organisation. The association is tho only one still-existing in the Empire founded by ex-eoldiers with South African service, possibly becauso the smallness of the unit wade it easier to keep in touch with members, and particularly, perhaps, because of the devotion of tho "Firsts."

Tho committee again expresses its pride iu the officers, .non-commissioned officers, and men of His Majesty's Service who aro members oC the association, and prays that those who are slill in til© field will have clean fighting, certain victory, and a. safe and rolurn to their relatives and their fellow-mem-bers of the association, .