MEN WELCOMED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3296, 4 August 1943, Page 8

MEN WELCOMED

FUNCTION AT KEREPEEHI SOLDIERS ON FURLOUGH FAREWELL TO L.A.C. STANSELL There was a large attendance and a very enjoyable evening was spent in dancing in the. Kerepeehi Hall on Thursday night, July 29, when people from all over the Hauraki Plains and Paeroa assembled to bid farewell to L.A.C. J. Stansell and to welcome home Dvr. D. Ashton, Pte. J. Aro, Pte. J. Clark (Patetonga), Pte. Hartwell (Patetonga). Presentation Made

Mr P. G. Pearce, in presenting L.A.C. Stansell with the usual gift from the local residents stated that Jack was well known in the district and was held in high esteem by all.

Mr Pearce mentioned that Jack was the second member of the Air Force to be farewelled from Kerepeehi and wished him all the best in his new venture and a safe return.

In expressing the pleasure of all present in welcoming home the men from the Middle East, Mr Pearce said he hoped it would not be necessary for them to return overseas, saying that they had done great work and had lived up to the reputation of the New Zealand Division. Mark of Respect In conclusion Mr Pearce wished them luck and a good time while on leave. All present were asked to stand for one minute’s silence in respect for those boys who will not return. In reply, L.A.C. Stansell thanked those present for their gift and good wishes. , Driver D. Ashton expressed thanks for the good wishes and welcome home. Pte. Clark said that although he was not a resident of Kerepeehi, he knew the district well and had visited it with the ’Patetonga football team quite a number of times, recalling that they had always been beaten. He added that it had been nice to return to New Zealand and that they were happy to be home for the winter. Items By Boys’ Band Mr Kearns’ boys’ 'band welcomed the boys home by playing “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows,” “When Johnny Come Marching Home,” and “Maori Battalion.” Mr W. Bailey acted as M.C. Dan Fisher’s Band- provided the music for dancing. Among those present were:— Mesdames E. R. Stansell, H. Ashton, J. Quinn, R. Trembath, C. Bird, P. G. Pearce, Pitts, Solly, Murray, H. Candy, Rawlins, T. Clark, H. Taylor, E. Taylor, D. Shilton, H. 'Collins, Jamieson, R. Wentworth, Henwood, R. Harvey, J. Burling, W. Booth, D. Speedie, A. Hayes, Bailey, H. Warner, R. Reddy, Cole, A. Strong, N. Shilton, C. Billing, J. Walker, R. Hill, Radford, A. Chick, W. Chick, A. Innis, Vivian, McGowan, T. Jordan, C. Poland, W. Thomson, C. Nicholson, A. L. Fisher, H. Innis, Roberts, A. Shilton, C. Poland, W. Thompson, R. Fisher, E. Fisher. Misses N. Stansell, J. Shilton, N. Collins, D. Clark, J. Hayes, I. Hayes, ■C. Corries, N. Strong, D. Beasley, E. Bennett, P. Lord, I. Dennison, A.. Braithwaite, J. Murray, E. Dennison, F. Strong, A. Trembath, J. Ashton, I. Ashton, N. Jordan, F. Poland, L. Poland, S. Hayes, M. Mclntosh, R. Mclntosh, B. Miller (Paeroa), L. Hill, N. Taylor, E. Lord, R. Beasley, M. Duffy (Morrinsville), V. Bartley, E. Patterson.