CIVIC DINNER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 March 1940, Page 4

CIVIC DINNER

SOLDIERS AND SAILORS ENTERTAINED HAPPY GATHERING LAST EVENING. DETERMINATION TO THE END. Marked by a happy of informality the dinner dered members of the Second Echelon and of the Navy at the Midland Hotel last evening- was an outstanding' success. A. strong patriotic note was struck by the colourful Union .Jacks which decked the room. The Alayor of Masterton, Mr T. Jordan, presided. Among the large number of guests were four local members of the crew of the Achilles, Mr J. Robertson, M.P., Sergeant-Major C. E. Rogers, officials of the Wairarapa Returned Soldiers’ Association, Masterton Borough and County Councillors, the Town Clerk, Mr G. T. O’Hara Smith, and Mr J. C. D. Mackley, Count)’ Clerk. The guests were received by Mr Jordan and Councillor W. I. Armstrong (representing the Masterton County Council).

The toast of the King was proposed by Mr Jordan, followed by a toast to his Majesty’s Forces, proposed by the vice-president of the Wairarapa R.S.A., Mr H. J. Brass. »

“Never at any time in the history of our Empire has there been such a need for his Majesty’s Army, Navy and Air Force,” stated Mr Brass. For hundreds of years the British peoples have stood for freedom, and to defend this freedom our Empire is at war. Unlike other wars the peoples of Britain entered this one with no cheering and flag-waving, but with a firm determination to see it through to a successful finish. Our safety as a nation and Empire depends on the efficiency of our forces. Never in the history of his Majesty’s forces have they been more highly trained or better equipped with fighting machines. The grand traditions of the forces are still as strong today as ever before. The Navy demonstrated this in the River Plate battle—-in the true British spirit of Drake and Nelson they went straight after the enemy, ready to do their job, and if necessary, to go down with the flag still flying (cheers). “In the officers and men we have with us this evening, we have men who are equally as good as those who have fought for their country before. I am sure that by- their valour on the fighting field and their behaviour behind the line they will live up to the traditions of the British Navy, Army and Air Force.”

In replying to the toast. Lieutenant I. Hart urged the necessity of fostering the spirit of loyalty to those left behind, which he said would ultimately bring victory. He referred to the glorious traditions of the Wellington Regiment in the last war, and to the fighting reputation enjoyed by the men pf the First N.Z.E.F. “If we can in aw way uphold the traditions of the Firs’t Expeditionary Force, then we will have done our job well,’ concluded Lieutenant Hart. A member of the Achilles personnel gave a brief and modest account of the River Plate battle, after which Mr Jordan made the presentation of an autographed photograph of the Achilles to members of the crew present. Similar gifts will be sent to the other members who have returned to the ship. During the dinner the chairman referred to the engagement just announced of Lieutenant Gaze to Miss Jean Douglas, the couple being accorded musical honours. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs H. H. Mawley (chairman of the .Wairarapa Hospital Board and a member of the Masterton County Council), and R. E. Gordon Lee (chaiiman of the Masterton County Council) and Lieutenant H. Donald. The following members of the crew of the Achilles were present: Messrs T. Gray, J. Blackley, C. W. Brash and J. M. Coradine. Members of the Second Echelon present were Lieutenants Irvine Hart. C. C. Cook, W. G. Cook, Gilbert Gaze, and Sergeants Ractliffe. W. Brown, J. CJaridge, Corporals W. S. Montgomery, L. Vallis, A. C. Clarke. Other ranks: Beals. McClelland, Peck. Ford, Rathner, Cole, Kingi, Lee, Pounceby, Smith, Petersen, Cooper. Inder, Dring, Mclsaac, Dixon. Greig. Pickering, Sturgeon, Wright, Brannigan, Bilby, McEwen. Stimpson. Barton, Simonsen. Sayer, and O’Keefe.