“IN FOR VICTORY”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20115, 8 December 1939, Page 6

“IN FOR VICTORY”

NEW ZEALAND FORCES CHANCES OF SERVICE DEPUTY-MAYOR’S WISH N.C.O. DRAFT DEPARTS “We know that you will be a credit to Gisborne wherever you go. What the future holds, we are not able to estimate, but if it happens that you do go abroad on active service, it is my hope that your part will be to help celebrate the victory of our cause,’’ stated the Deputy-Mayor, Mr. J. H. Hall, addressing yesterday’s draft of men for the second echelon non-commissioned rank, prior to their departure for the more distant of New Zealand’s military camps. - The draft was a small one, and comprised men selected for special training in engineering, mechanised cavalry operations, anti-tank weapons and tactics, and field ambulance work. All were men with experience in territorial training, and they represented a promising group of young soldiers.

A substantial gathering of relatives and friends saw the draft away, and before their departure the men were entertained at afternoon tea by the Hokowhitu Maori Ladies’ Committee, and were addressed by the DeputyMayor, and by representatives of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association and the Territorial Forces Association.

Acceptance of Obligation

Mr. Hall emphasised the public appreciation of the manner in which the young men of this group had accepted the responsibility which the situation of the Empire had placed upon all. He apologised for the absence of the Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., who, he said, was engaged in the work of the Parliamentary Defence Committee; and he offered on his behalf and the citizens of Gisborne his sincere congratulations to the members of the draft.

He added the hope that if they were called upon to proceed overseas, they would merely take part in the celebration of victory for the Allies; but whether that was the case or otherwise, he wished them God-speed and a safe return to their homeland.

Comradely greetings from the Returned Soldiers’ Association were voiced by Mr. G. C. Jones, who stated that the men of the old N.Z.E.F. saluted those who were going forward to a job that had not been well enough done 25 years ago. Among First of Volunteers

He added that in his opinion, active service overseas would not be distasteful to the men of the draft, who would hardly be offering their services thus early if the only prospect were that of garrison duty in New Zealand. They were undertaking a duty which would claim a far greater number of men than were now under arms in this Dominion, and he congratulated them upon having been among the first of the volunteers. He, too, wished them a safe and speedy return, with all the honours of war service.

Speaking for the Territorial Forces Association, Mr. F. R. Ball endorsed what had been said by previous speakers, and extended the offer of his association’s services on behalf of any'men from this distinct who might find them useful. The members of that association admired keenly the way in which the younger men had taken up the call, in a cause which one could foresee must entail a long struggle and much hardship. He joined with the other speakers in offering his congratulations, and his good wishes for the military careers of the men of this draft, as well as their safe survival of the hazards of active service abroad.

The men were sent off shortly after with a rousing round of cheers. The party was under the charge of Sergeant R. J. Shields, who, however, was to relinquish responsibility to-day in Palmerston North, where he parted company from the others. He was to proceed to Burnham camp, Christchurch, while the other men of the draft were bound for Ngaruawahia or Narrow Neck.

Among the men of the N.C.O. draft which was to leave Paeroa to-day for the various military camps where special training' is available for men destined for leadership in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force were a member of Parliament, Mr. A. G. Hultquist, and his "brother, Mr. R. N. Hultquist. The draft also included two All Black footballers, J. S. Best and G. A. H. Bullock-Douglas. Mr. A. G. Hultquist. is to join the Divisional Signal Corps at Ngaruawahia, and his brother will train with the Rifle Battalion N.C.O.’s at Trentham, but there is a prospect that the latter will be allowed to join his brother in the Signal Corps. Messrs. Best and Bullock-Douglas are both nominated for the Divisional Cavalry.