FUN ON THE RHINE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1929, Page 5

FUN ON THE RHINE

, BRITISH SOLDIERS’ LIFE. The British Army of Occupation on the Rhine is unique in that it must provide its own amusements. There is an army kinema, once a popular German kinema, where films are screened nightly. Here, too, appear variety acts, and at intervals productions by file Rhine Arniy : Amateur Dramatic Company, of which Lieutenant-Gen-eral Sir William Thwaites, the G.0.C.-in-C. is a patron, who takes keen interest in the activities of the society.; At Bad Schwalbach, Bierbrich, Bingen, Konigsteih, ancl - Scliierstein are other al'iiiy Icinemas, where thrice weekly shows are given, while drives, dances, debates, German classes and every branch of sport from table tennis to “Soccer” provides daily interest, amusement'and entertainment for all ranks. Dances arranged by regiments, form the main attractions of the indoor entertainments of winter. These are generally the annual dances held by regimental sergeants’ messes in commemoration of same big event in the history of a battalion or corps. Tlio most brilliant of. recent years was staged by the sergeants’ mess of the 2nd. Battalion tlie Royal Welsh Fusiliers at a recent -week-end. The hali was held in the Pauliiietischosschon, the largest ballroom. M The writer was /favoured with an invitation to this ball, and ed at the brilliance of-.the “scene..' Coloured limelights playing/over a*Joyous throng dancing to thet grains .of the excellent band of Idle battalion; presented'; a glowing picture life and laughter. Here -.was - William Thwaites dadoing with; Afis Gorman, the wife of the regimental sergeantmajor of the battalion, there Lady Thwaites being piloted round ' the floor by Regimental Sergeant Major Gorham, here the youthful and winsome wife of a youthful sergeant dancing with a colonel. The visitor found himself dancing with a woman who had spent 10 years in ixhineland. When lie ventured a remark that lie understood the Rhino Army was eating its head off >"■ 1 heartily, sick, of the Rhineland she laughed as she replied: j “Rubbish'! ’daze round this ; ’ •M----room and yob’ll sckbi -learn 'that.. The Rhine Army-is doing its 'Vb and doing it like! only a British- p’-niw can. It knows life is what you make it, and it ■ makesI’■tli©‘ 1 ’■tli©‘ most of its work and plaiy. Believe -fnO, it can play as wdl as work, add'-whichever it dees it does well. • ‘ ' ‘4