IMPERIAL UNITS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20051, 25 September 1939, Page 2

IMPERIAL UNITS

GISBORNE VETERANS relations with r.s.a. TRIBUTES AT REUNION ROLL-CALL OP REGIMENTS Veterans of British Army and naval units gathered at their annual reunion in Gisiborne on Saturday evening warmly applauded the statement of their chairman, Dr. H. Goulding Rice, that the interests of Imperial men and those of New Zealand returned soldiers were identical in the main, and that the two groups of men in this country who had fought for the Empire in the past should continue o work together for their mutual interests and for the public good. The reunion was largely attended, and the proceedings included a rollcall of the units represented, the list providing striking evidence of the services given to the Empire by men now resident here.

Several branches of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force were among the units mentioned in the roll, while the following land units were represented: Royal Field Artillery, Royal Garrison Artillery, Dragoon Guards, 17th Lancers, Imperial Yeomanry, Dorset Yeomanry. Scots Guards. Ist Gordon Highlanders, Ist Black Watch, Northumherland Fusiliers, Gloucester Regiment, Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Royal Inndskillen Fusiliers, Artists’ Rifles, Royal Scots, Highland Light Infantry, Cameronian Scottish Rifles, South Wales Borderers, Leicester Regiment, East Kents, Royal Army Supply Corps, and Royal Army Medical Corps. t Assurance of Consideration Opening the proceedings, Dr. Rice remarked on the long-standing friendship between the Imperial men and the Diggers of New Zealand. That sentiment had been, he said, warmly fostered by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, and was exemplified by his own membership of the Gisborne R.S.A. executive. Though an Imperial man, he had occupied a seat on that committee for several years, and incidentally he could assure the men of Imperial regiments that their interests were being given every consideration. It was perhaps desirable that Imperial men should have their own ass<jciation to commemorate their special traditions, but it should be the aim of all to pull together, especially now that there was a new call for service, and for the protection of a new generation of men serving their Empire on sea and land, and in the air.

(Proposing ; the health of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers' Association, Captain L. G. West warmly supported the chairman’s remarks, and stated that there was never any differentiation. The district executive, he said, was “out on its own” in the matter of service to Diggers and Imperial men alike.

Captain West paid a tribute to Mr. W. Oakden, late secretary of the R.S.A., and welcomed warmly Mr, Allan Miller, the new secretary. Sentiments Reciprocated

Replying to this toast, Messrs. P. W. Bus'hnell and A. H. Miller expressed thanks to the Imperial men for the support they had given to the existing association, and the hope that nothing would interfere with the existing good relations.

The advantages of having an association for veterans of Imperial forces were mentioned by Mr. J. Wilkins, in proposing the toast of “Kindred Associations.”

Already, he said, there were many such branches formed, and as there was likely to be a further influx of men from the Old Country after this war, it would be well to have everything organised for their guidance. The speaker emphasised that he had no complaint to make of the New Zealand R.'S.A,, but he felt that they needed their own association.

Other toasts honoured during the evening included “Absent Comrades,” proposed by Mr. J. Morton; “Nursing Services,” proposed by Mr. W. Armstrong and replied to by Dr. Rice; and several others to which a hearty response was fothcoming. Bugler H. Owen, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, was thanked for his services to the ex-servicemen as honorary bugler.’

'Song’s and other items were given during a lengthy programme by Messrs. V. Venables, J. Harvey, J. Mahon, W. Armstrong, C. Turbitt and A. Seal. Mr. E. Sharpies gave invaluable aid at the piano, and community singing was much enjoyed.