LARGE CROWD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 32, Issue 3291, 21 July 1943, Page 7

LARGE CROWD

ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME COROMANDEL FUNCTION THRE£ LOCAL BOYS RETURN A large crowd turned out in Coromandel on Tuesday last when three members of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force returned to their home town from the Middle East. Flags and welcome signs were flying at the entrance to the town where the crowd waited. As> the car came to a standstill outside the Bank of New Zealand the band struck up. Units of the W.W.S.A., Girl Guides and a number of school children were lined up to the fore, falling into line as the car containing the men slowly made its way down to the Golconda Hotel where the parents and friends of the men were waiting. The nien were inundated with handshakes and welcomes by the public as they came along and were completely taken by surprise at the warmth and wholeheartedness of the welcome home from all sections of the community. After a short greeting with thenparents, the men were driven up to the Caledonian Theatre amid cheers, the band leading the procession, followed by Guides, W.W.S.A., schoolchildren and' a column of civilians. The theatre was filled and after the National Anthem had been sung Mr C. C. Rae, chairman of the Coromandel County Council spoke warm words of welcome to the boys. He referred to their splendid record wherever they went, and how proud their home town was of them and their gallant comrades who were still “over there.” He concluded by emphasising the fact that all owed these men a debt of gratitude which should live in their hearts when they remembered the sacrifices that had been made by these gallant boys in their defence. Mr Murphy, president of the Coromandel Branch of the Returned Services Association, welcomed the men ■back on behalf of the R.S.A. He, too,

spoke of the wonderful work that had been done by the New Zealand Division and the pride that was felt and the happiness that was so evident at the return of the first contingent of the boys. He concluded by calling for three hearty cheers of welcome. Mrs Lynne, chairman of the Coromandel Patriotic Sub-committee also warmly welcomed the boys and on behalf of the W.D.F.U. and Women’s Institute expressed the sincere welcome that all these women’s organisations extended to the boys who had just the day before landed on New Zealand soil. She concluded her remarks by saying that the women of these organisations, the W.D.F.U. and W.I. were standing by ready to help the boys whenever and wherever they could and that they would do all in their power to try and repay the debt of gratitude to them for a job well done.

Driver R. McNeil replied on behalf of the boys. It was- intimated that a public function would be held later to give everyone an opportunity to personally welcome the ‘boys on their return. The date of this function would be announced later. The boys and their parents then left the hall and were entertained to lunch as guests of Mr Rae at the Royal Mail Hotel. After lunch toasts to the King and the returned boys and their parents were honoured and the gathering dispersed to their homes. The men who returned were Dvr. Roy McNeil, ?e. G. J. Perfect and Dvr. R. McKeddie.