“THE SILENT SIXTH.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3650, 11 June 1927, Page 2

“THE SILENT SIXTH.”

RE-UNION OF SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS. Tiie 2(itli re-union of tlie Sixth Contingent of the N.Z. Mounted Rifles '(“The Silent -Sixth”) took place at the Godber’s Rooms, Wellington, on the evening of June 3rd, when between forty and fifty veterans answered the roll call. Some were present who had not met their comrades for twenty years. The greetings and reminiscences can be better imagined than described. Colonel Evats presided. A capital vocal and instrumental programme was submitted and “Bumper” Wright (brother of the Hon. R. A. Wright) was. as of yore, the soul of the gathering. The Sixth's M.P., Mr. J. Linklator, was called upon to address his comrades. He .congratulated them upon the manner in which they were standing the ravages of time and Imped they would all be spared to enjoy many more re-unions. Many names lie regretted to’sav, were associated with the “silent toast.” No less than .102 had “gone west,” out of a total of 500 connected with ;he contingent. Many of their comrades had taken part in the Great War and a number of them had paid liie supreme sacrifice at Gallipoli, and on other parts of the battle front in tho Great War. The link that bound them together would last throughout life. ■ He said he was pleased to know that many of their comrades had done well, but lie regretted to say that some had fallen, on evil times and were in need of a helping hand. He urged them to 1 ally round their distressed comrades and assist them, if possible. He regretted that so few of the officers of the regiment were present, but lie hoped, as the time wore on, that officers and men would unite in greater numbers to make the evening of June 3rd what it ought to be. The gathering that night was remarkable, lie said, because so far as lie knew it was the only gathering of purely single regiment status that had meet in N.Z. for many years. He assured them that if lie could at any time do anything for them in his capacity of M.P., he would gladly do it. He regretted that Major Frank Beamish, whom they all admired, was not with them and suggested that they forward fraternal greetings to him from their meeting that night. It was due to “Frank” that the regiment had kept together for so long. To “Ernie” Taylor they all owed a debt of gratitude, as it was due to his efforts that the Sixth Re-unions were kept running and he expressed appreciation of his work as secretary. The function lasted far into the night and the old veterans regretted that the time for favwell had come, but looked forward with pleasurable anticipation to next year’s reunion.