STRATHMORE SEND-OFF.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 30, 11 January 1916, Page 8

STRATHMORE SEND-OFF.

PRESENTATIONS TO FOUR RECRUITS. (Jrom Our Own Correspondent). One of the most successful social 1 gatherings ever held at. Strathmore 1 took place under very Livouraole con- 1 ditious on Saturday evening,- the oc- \ casion being a send-off to four of the ' boys on the eve of their departure to ■undergo military training at Treuth;;m. fho social was hold in the StrathuK.ro Kali, which was artistically decorated with flowers and evergieens and on ihe whole presented j a picturesque appearance. f be recruits to whom <tb© gathering : had met to do honor were R. Mere- | (ditli, J. West, 0. McAloon, and W. ] Rodgers, and there was an attend- 1 a nee of between fifty and sixty men- : folk present. i

The programme of toasts was interspered with songs by members of the company, and the whole evening exuded a spirit of camaraderie that was pleasing to the guests and all present. ,

The proceedings opened by the singing of the National Anthem, after which the chairman (Mr T. Mcllroy) briefly explained the object of the meeting. Then followeu the usual toasts: “The King,’’ proposed by Mr T. Mcllroy; “Army and Navy,” Mr A. Merdith; “The Allies,” Mr Hill; “Our Boys,” Mr Cha’irman; “The Ladies,” Mr T. Lunam, “Local Bodies,” Mr A. Anderson.

Mr Meredith, in speaking to “The Army and Navy,” said he was proud to belong to that Empire which could produce such a splendid Navy. The Navy had swept all hostile flags from the ocean and was keeping the trad© routes open for British commerce. The Navy was not only defending the British Empire: she was protecting weaker nations whose existence depended in a great measure to the fighting strength of our Navy. (Cheers.) The Army had proved by 'its indomitable perseverance in stickling out in the face of tremendous odds I that it was composed of the right stuff, theirs was an up hill fight against hard luck. The enemy had 50 years start, a big handicap, but British pluck and endurance was gradually overhauling them, and when the numbers went up it would be found that Britain had won the race.— (Cheers which split the roof!) Mr Mcllroy, speaking to “Our Boys,” said he had known the voung follows since infancy; some of them had been born there. Their services would have been offex-ed long ere this had they not been barred by the age limit. They were not infatuated with patriotism so much as the desire and grim determination to do their duty; they had surveyed the position am cl were going forward with their colors nailed to the mast and in answer to the appeals of the widows and ci'j’s of the orphans. They were about to extend the hand of friendship to Serbia and assist in extracting Belgium from the impoverished condition to which she has been subjected by a ruthless nation. (Renewed cheers). The four young chaps were presented with a cheque each, and they responded in a suitable manner. Other speakers were Messrs Dromgool, O’Neal, Calvert, Anderson, Hill, Calvert, O’Coxxnor, and Lunam.