CALL OF COUNTRY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20094, 14 November 1939, Page 6

CALL OF COUNTRY

MF.N FOR TRFNTHAM YESTERDAY’S FAREWELLS FIRST FCHFLON POSTS Seven men from Gisborne and the East Coast, selected for posts in the First Echelon of the Second New Zealand Division, were J'arewelled at the Abcrcorn Hall yesterday rn the eve of their departure for Trentham, where they will take up training in their respective units to which they have been posted.

Three of the men. N. Crump, J. L. Griffiths, and F. T. La Hood, are to join the Rifle Battalion at Trentham: three others, H. Littler, C. R. McLernon. and C. B. Foster, are to be absorbed into the Divisional Petrol Company; and the seventh, A. R. Ferguson, will join the Divisional Signals Corps.

Though the group was a small one, it was accorded farewell compliments similar 'o those offered to larger bodies of troops drafted from Gisborne. Tiie W.E.C..M.R. Band turned out to play the recruits off on the first stage of their journey to Trentham, and the Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P.. and representatives and the executive of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers Association attended to convey the good wishes c f Gisborne residents in general, and of the veterans of the Great War. ;o those who were taking up the call of country.

Thanks of the Country

The Mayor made a brief speech in which he referred to the uncertainty felt regarding the early future, and particularly with regard to what New Zealand would be asked to do towards the Empire’s war effort. There was one thing concerning which there was no uncertainty, however, Mr. Coleman, said, this being the desire of the Dominion to do its utmost to aid the Mother Country, and the staunchness of the men who had offered their personal services to the country and the Empire.

On behalf of the Government and of the town of Gisborne, the Mayor thanked the men for the free offer of their services, and expressed the conviction that wherever their duty might take them they would conduct themselves in the best tradition of the New Zealand soldier. On behalf of the executive of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, Messrs G. C. Jones and A. H. Miller conveyed to the departing recruits the veterans’ interest in their well-being, and the association's offer to do all in its power to conserve their interests during the time they may be abroad, and later upon their return to their homes.

A substantial gathering of relatives and friends of the recruits raised cheers as the car departed.