NAVY LEAGUE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 September 1942, Page 6

NAVY LEAGUE

SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP. PRESENTATION OF PENNANTS. Yesterday afternoon the Hadlow Preparatory School. Solway College and St. Matthew’s Collegiate School were presented with Navy League Pennants in recognition of their having maintained in 1941 the high membership of previous years. The presentations were made on behalf of the Navy League by Captain J. Lampen. R.N.Z.N., who was accompanied by Mesdames Lampen. S. R. Gawith (president), T. Jordan, A Caselberg, D. Buchanan, G. C. Williams, H. McKenzie Douglas, E. C. White, and Miss Cameron, members of the committee, and Miss A. Sellar (secretary). The first ceremony took place at Hadlow Preparatory School at 1.15 p.m., where the visitors were received by the headmaster, Mr A. W. Don, who introduced Captain Lampen to the school. After presenting the Pennant, Long Service Badges were handed to five of the pupils. The next visit was to Solway College at 2 p.m. The visitors were received by the principal, Miss Macßae. The final ceremony took place at St. Matthew’s School at 2.45 p.m., the principal, Mrs Cleghorn, presiding. In making the presentations at each school, Captain Lampen, who is a captain in the Marines, referred to the origin and history of the Royal Marines, explaining some of their customs and; also their duties in peace and war. He also spoke of the immense distances that were covered by the Navy on convoy duty. He paid a high tribute to the men of the Merchant Navy, stating that nothing that could be done in providing them with comforts, etc., could adequately compensate them for their great courage and devotion to duty. In concluding his address, Captain Lampen urged the pupils to continue to support the Navy League after they left school, and in the post-war years to uphold the Navy League’s policy by doing their part in demanding that a strong navy be maintained, not only to protect the British trade routes, but as a deterrent to aggressor nations. At the conclusion of the address at St. Matthew’s School, Vivienne Rich, school secretary to the Navy League, proposed a vote of thanks to Captain Lampen, which was carried. The National Anthem was sung and the Pennant hoisted below the Union Jack. The visitors were entertained at afternoon tea by Mrs Cleghorn. Other guests were Archdeacon and Mrs E. J. Rich, Mr and Mrs Sydney Smith. Mr and Mrs H. M. Beddington, Mrs Anderson and Mr T. Jordan.