DIGGERS ABROAD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1939, Page 5

DIGGERS ABROAD

REUNION IN LONDON REFERENCES TO WORLD CRISIS. MESSAGE FROM THE KING. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, April 22. The highlight" of the Diggers Abroad Association’s reunion at the Grosvenor Hotel was a telegram from the King, thanking the members of the Australian Imperial Forces for their loyal message, which his Majesty said he cordially appreciated. He added that he was happy to think his brother would shortly be his personal representative in the Commonwealth. FieldMarshal Lord Birdwood presided over a gathering of 360. The Duke of Kent, in reply to the toast of his health, remarked, smiling, that in the Diggers’ parlance he was approaching the job in Australia in a fair dinkum way. He had. assurances from those round him and numerous others that he was going to have the time of his life in Australia. The Duke of Kent toasted the association, and the Diggers’ president, Mr S. Diamond, in acknowledging the toast, said though older they were still. Diggers, and if the occasion arose they would be ready again to stand beside the British Tommy. Lord Birdwood, in a delightful halfhour’s speech, told whimsical stories and read messages from Diggers and Anzacs everywhere. One message stated:—“Mr Birdwood: “I’m still alive and want to. serve under you again any time, anywhere.”

Lord Birdwood added that such messages did not prove that they were a lot of bloodthirsty villains, but that they wanted to be assured of peace, just as the unfortunately inarticulate people of Germany and Italy did.