WELCOME HOME

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32410, 22 March 1944, Page 6

WELCOME HOME

COROMANDEL FUNCTION AN ENJOYABLE EVENING FIVE SOLDIERS HONOURED The Coromandel Patriotic committee organised and tendered a welcome home tea in St. George’s Hall on Friday, March 10 in honour of a number of servicemen who have recently returned from overseas. The tables were tastefully set up and presented a varied assortment of eatables which were thoroughly sampled and enjoyed by the guests present. After justice had l been done to the good things provided the following toast list was dealt with, the chairman, Mr C. C. Rae, acting as toast master. The loyal toast was drunk with musical honours after which the toastmaster called on Mr P. Murphy to propose the toast of the “Navy, Army and Air Force.” This was responded to by Mrs Anderson. The next toast “ Fallen Comrades” was proposed by Mr C. C. Rae and drunk in silence. The toast to the Middle East and Pacific Forces was proposed 'by. Mr J. H. Lucas and was responded’ to by Sergeant A. G. Davies, M.M. (Middle East) and Sapper S. D. Macdonald (Pacific). “Our Allies,” was proposed’ by Mr A. H. Benham and responded to by Staff-Sgt. K. Keen, of U.S. Forces. The toast to the Patriotic Committee was proposed by Mr C. C. Rae and responded to by Mrs Lynne, chairman of the Coromandel Patriotic Committee.

A special individual toast was proposed an drunk with gusto, that of the distinguished guests, Sergeant A. G. Davies, M.M., the first Coromandel boy to gain this award and' Pte. W. Hinchco, mentioned’ in dispatches. Sgt. Davies replied, thanking everyone for the manner in which they honoured the toast.

Another individual toast which was honoured was that of the guest from the U.S. Forces, Staff-Sgt. K. Keen, who replied thanking everyone for the invitation to be present and the remarks made in reference to his country and himself. All toasts were musically honoured, the pianist being Mrs E. M. Lucas.

With the autographing of the menu cards this part of the welcome was brought to a close. ENJOYABLE DANCE LARGE CROWD ATTENDS A dance followed when a large crowd attended to do honour to the guests of the evening. The hall was tastefully decorated with greenery and flags and there was a genial air of friendliness evident ton this official and public occasion of welcoming home the “boys.” Mr 'Rae, on behalf of the people of Coromandel welcomed the boys home. They were Sgt. A. G. Davies, M.M., Pte. W. Hinchco, Spr. A. D. 'Macdonald, Gnr. A. N. Willet, Gnr. A. Hale and Staff-Sgt. Ken Keen (U.S. Forces) was also given a hearty welcome on his return from the 'Pacific. “We have here to-night two distinguished servicemen, Sgt. Davies and Pte. Hinchco, who have received an award for valour in the field, continued Mr Rae. “I have been asked to stress this fact, by the other boys we are welcoming home to-night out of their soldierliness and spirit and bigness of heart. I am sure the relatives and friends are proud of you Coromandel boys who can uphold their end throughout the whole world.” (Acclamation). “There are other Coromandel boys who are not able to be here to-night who have recently returned,” added Mr Rae. “They are Ptes. G. R. Horne, G. C. Marshall and R. Nicholson and we extend to them a hearty welcome home wherever they may be and on behalf of the people of Coromandel it is my honour and privilege to welcome you all home again to our midst. “I also wish to take this opportunity of welcoming to our midst StaffSgt. Keen of the U.S. Forces (cheers), and hope he will enjoy his brief leave period in Coromandel. I wish to express thanks to the Patriotic 'Committee for their effort to-night and also Mr Zambucka for providing the lights for the hall,” said Mr Rae. “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows,” was sung, followed by three rousing cheers. Sgt. Davies replied on behalf of himself and ihe other boys and said how glad they were to be back to see [ so many familiar faces who had 'been

present to bid them goodbye. He said he was the last to leave Italy on furlough and he left the other Coromandel boys there in the best of spirits till their turn came to come home. He also expressed appreciation of the splendid parcels from the people of Coromandel and he was sure the local lads were looked after by the people as good as any in New Zealand. Staff-Sgt. Keen in thanking Mr Rae and the people of Coromandel for his welcome said that all were in the war together and he hoped it would not be too long before it was over altogether. “I guess that’s all, thanks,” concluded the speaker. Dancing continued till the early hours. The music was supplied by Mrs E. M. Lucas (piano) and George Nicholls (drums), while extras were played by Miss Lillis. * The first Monte Carlo was won iby Mr and Mrs G. Davies, the second, a black-out Monte Carlo, by Joyce Martin and Hilda Inglis. A tasty supper was served and ice cream was on sale which was most enjoyable owing to the intense heat prevailing. The National Anthem brought the function to a close.