WELCOME HOME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1951, 13 March 1919, Page 2

WELCOME HOME.

Yesterday afternoon a reception was given to Private W. Collins, M.M., at Saint Alary’s Convent’ School, of which he had formerly been a pupil. The school was appropriately decorated with flags and (lowers. The children, on the approach of the guest, sang “See the Conquering Hero Comes," after which three cheers were heartily given for him, and an address of welcome read by Master M . Hynes. Select vocal and musical items were rendered by the pupils, after which (he Rev. Father Forrest,al, in a speech welcoming the returned hero, congratulated him on behalf of himself, the Nuns and visitors on having, while yet in his teens, gone through nearly three years oHactive service, and by his valour on the battlefield won the Military Medal. He said that it spoke well for the youthful soldier to find that his love, for his old school,*his teachers and companions had not diminished, and hoped that the children there present to welcome him would take example by him. He had gone to light in (he cause of right and justice, and in the defence of the rights of small nations, and had returned true to the faith, the truths of which he had learned in Saint Mary’s School, and to the cause tor which he had gone lorlh to tight, He wished him a long’ and happy future. Private Collins, in n few wellchosen words, thanked Father Forrestal, the Nuns and the children for the kindly welcome tbev bad ,r iveu him.

Alter cheers had been given for father forreslal, and again for I mate Collins, afternoon tea was served, and a dance, followed.