SASH AND DOOR REUNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 July 1918, Page 5

SASH AND DOOR REUNION.

WELCOME TO SERGT FOOTE, D.C.M. A very pleasant gathering took place at Messrs May and Arrowemith'a on Saturday night, when the past and present employees of the New (Plymouth Sash and Door Co. held a reunion. Mr. W. G. Reid, general manager, presided, and there was a very representative attendance, among those present being Sergeant Foote, D.C.M., and bar to D.C.M., and Private ■ Rowe, employees of the firm, whom their fellow employees took the opportunity of welcoming home. Apologies for absence were received from three ex-employees. After full justice had been done to the good fare provided, a short toast list was discussed, opening with the usual loyal toast of the King. The chairman then in a forceful speech proposed the guests of the evening—Sergeant Foote and Private Rowe. Several of their employees had gone forward and risked their all in defence of the Empire. One had made the supreme sacrifice and two had returned. Others were in camp or would shortly leave for camp. All felt that they were fighting in a righteous cause, to uphold principles held sacred for centuries, and not to allow them to be trampled upon by Germany. Whilst proud of the deeds done by our boys we must not forget that they had but done their duty. Those who had shown exceptional gallantry deserved all the honor that could be bestowed, whilst those who had given their lives had placed us under an obligation. Both the returned men were accorded an enthusiatic reception. In response to a unanimous request, Sergeant Foote modestly described how he gained his decorations. First, he said he wished' to clear up any misapprehension regarding these decorations. Many thought that he had gained the MJM. and bar, but this was probably due to the fact that there were so many Sergeant Footes, he himself knowing four of themRegarding his D C.M.. it was decided that the village of La Bassee Ville, in the region of Messines, a little to the north and right of Annentieres, had to be taken at all costs. The Hawke's Bay, Company tackled it first and got there, but were afterwards surrounded. The Second Wellington Battalion then captured it. His company was placed tij the left of the village, and his platoon struck a company of Prussians. The platoon was divided into three sections, an officeu had command of one, the platoon sergeant of another, and he had charge of the third. The other two encountered the Prussians in a series of dug-outs in a paddock, and were pract'# cally cut up. He, on the right, had his own objective, and could not help them, as he was held up for a time. Our bom* bardment caught some of the Germans, and it was easy to snipe about twenty others. He sent a corporal, with men, up one side of the hedge, and he went up the other. They got through into the paddock, when they noticed the head of a German show up out of a dug; out, and they got 28 men, whom they disarmed. That being cleared up, they could go on to their objective and consolidate the position. Luck was probably with them, as the Germans thought they had more men. He gained the bar at Ypres on October 4, when all officers got killed as they prepared to go over the top. A sergeant-major took charge of the company, and he took charge of the platoon, got through, con-| solidated the position, and, towards evening, was wounded by a sniper. considered that no man could do a big stunt on his pat. He must have the cooperation of his fellows, and he believe? that they were as much entitled to the honor as he was- He considered thai} all decorations should belong to the rei giment, and that the one to win the honor should only be in charge of it, His platoon went out 35 strong, but he only brought nine men back. Some of as good men as ever went over th§ top never came back. One man, who got killed by a machine-gun bullet, left a wife and five children in New Zealand, and was worthy of the V.C. He askeii all to toast the memory of those whose remains lay on the Western front. He considered all should .be proud of the record put up by the 2nd Wellington Battalion, to which Taranaki belonged, numerous members of which had gained decorations, so that when he left the front ten months ago there was no more decorated N.Z. battalion there. Private H. Rowe, who was at Gallipoli, and stated that he was two months i on the Peninsula, and was one of the , first to be wounded, briefly replied. "The Press" concluded a most enjoyable function, which will probably bo made an annual affair. i During the evening a capital musical programme was rendered, contributed to by Messrs. Northern (cornet solo) and ! A. Gilbert and W. G. Reid (songs). Mr. . G. H. White acted as accompanist.