Veterans Foregather.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1922, Page 4

Veterans Foregather.

LORD JELLICOE MEETS OLD HEROES. AUCKLAND, May 25. It was ail interesting gathering of warriors of former days that assembled at the Veterans’ Home yesterday mi the occasion of the visit of the (<"■■- ernor-Gencral. The oldest veteran, who proudly bears the Indian Mutiny | Medal on his breast was the most still - ing figure among them. On parade there were also men who lmd been through the Maori wars, the Sudan, and the South African wars. They had fought and marched hundreds of miles in the days when transport was not what it is to-day. They had suivived fire on the battle-field, water on tinsea and pestilence in the fever-breed-ing'swamps and forests ol foreign lands. Five niinuts before His Excellency s arrival these men still talked and smiled over old recollections. It was the one great day in the year when old army men from various parts of the district had an opportunity to exchange reminiscences with their comrades in the home.

Ti-e visit of Lord Jcllicoe wa s no mere formality, for his Excellency spoke for several minutes with each of the fit tv veterans. He chatted at some length with Mr Charles Combs, .aged 90, Hie oldest- veteran in the Home. This old soldier fought in the Indian Mutiny in 1857 with the 72nd. Highlanders and was present at the siege and storming of Kcitah. Then tiie:c was Mr Gold n of the Rocky Mountain Hangers, win took part in operations during an Indian rising ill Canada,.

One man in whom his Excellency took particular interest was Mr John M(Galium, aged 72, who, not content with long sea service lu-tore and during the South African war. volunteered during the Great. War, when he was (JG years of age and came hack to New Zealand wounded in 1919. lie served during the Roer war as a sea-

man on a troopship. I n 191-1 he s-i c-d us a seaman ill the transport Waimanu. which eonveved a portion oi the main body of the New Zealand expenditionary force to Egypt. He left tinship at Alexandria and joined a minesweet i r at Dover. He was engaged for three years in the dangerous work of liiine-swrcping and received a sluapr.el w.mild in bis right leg from a di re

battery ut Zeebrtigge. llis ship at Ihi. time was torpedoed, but v.a R saved by being beached. Mr McC.iilum still wains with a limp.