C.l.V's.

Manawatu Herald, 20 December 1900, Page 2

C.l.V's.

The City of London Imperial Volunteers have returned home from the War in South Africa, and have met with an enthusiastic reception. On arrival»of the train at Paddington they marched to St. Paul's, through a route "profusely decorated" and crowded with "dense masses of enthusiastic spectators," as the London papers report. at st. Paul's. " The deepest, possibly the truest note in all the great ptean of rejoicing was sounded in the City's mighty heart — within her majestic House of Prayer. The dim silence was broken now and again by the clank of militant steel ; defiant spur or scabbard jingling as scarlet uniforms passed along with an occasional gleam of gold, or a white flash from a plumed hat. It was impossible not to feel a thrill of emotion as the first dull brown uniforms came into sight r bronzed faces and bared heads came softly up the aisle, and beneath the tlomo was suddenly a sea of soldiery, silently settling itself within its bounds — bounds marked by closelypacked relatives and friends, amongst i whom those connected with the have and honoured dead of the regiment held the premier position. THE BISHOP'S ADDRESS. The Bishop of Stepney's talk to that bronzed legion of faces was short— under 10 minutes — but very, very friendly. " "My brothers !" he began, " . . . Welcome home !" Warmly he spoke of their prowess, tenderly of their comrades fallen for Queen and country and duty, manfully of a soldier's death — the best of deaths. The men who had looked into the eyos of death he exhorted to play the man in peace and to spread abroad at home the conviction of brotherhood of men which they had learned in war. And then Sir George Martin stood out on the chancel steps and gently moved his wand, and, at the signal, the National Anthem rolled from 1,000 strong throats up into the glorious spangled roof. Then they went out of our sight, AT THE BANQUBT. Having been welcomed by the j Lord Mayor the C.I. Vs. were entertained at a banqnet at Finsbury, in three marques, which held 2,600 guests. Lord Wolseley, in responding to the toast of the Imperial Forces, read the following telegraphed message which he had that, evening received from her Majesty : — 11 Please assure the City of London Imperial Volunteers that I heartily share those feelings of joy and thankfulness which have been evinced in the enthusiastic we'come accorded to them to-day. " Tell them with what pride and satisfaction I have received unvaryI ing reports of their gallant and soldierlike conduct during the dangers and hardships of a trying campaign. Whilst joining in the happiness of the many relatives and friends who celebrate the homecoming of their dear ones, I deeply sympathise with those who look in vain for them, that, alas, no longer stand in the ranks of their comrades. " I, alas, myself have to grieve over the loss of a dear and most ga^ant grandson, who, like so many of y«ur companions, bas served ana died for his Queen and country."