THE DIGGER'S FRIEND.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 15, 25 June 1920, Page 8

THE DIGGER'S FRIEND.

"Quiet and unassuming, but, oh, so g.enuine, and ever since the war commenced hard and timless worker for the Empire as a whole, and the Digger in particular." The above was a remark passed to me last Monday when it became known that Capcain G. C. A. Todd had died suddenly at his oflice. Deceased and the late Lieut. Prain, with several others, were instrumental in forming the mounted division of the National Reserve in Southland when the war commenced, and from then on never ceased working until long after the war ended. When the Defence Department depended on the voluntary system to maintai.i the strength of the various drafts from ,each province, it was the Mounted Reserve in Southland that was entrusted wit-'i the recruiting work that so splendidly kept Southland's quota right up to the mark and the late Captain Todd was one of the leading workers in the movement. Hv organised parties to go almost to the ends of Southland, and on-more than one oocasion was specially thank ed by the oflicer commanding the local district for his efforts. Almost similtaneously with the establishment of the compulsory system, our boys commenced returning, and it worried the late Captain Todd very na-ch that there was not a suitable place for them to consider their own to repair to when they required rest or recreation. It was his idea to form the Southland Soldiers' Club, and it was his uribounded energy and the enthusiasm he instilled into his commitfcee that enabled such a good club to be formed. He was a busy business man who could always find time to de«ote minutes or hours as required to the duties of chairman of the committee, and it was greatly due to his tact that the committee in charge of the Club never failed in a single duty to the returned men. When the R.S.A. took over the controi of -the Club deceased was still chairman, and in addition to a well furnished ar d appointed club he was able to hand over some £2000 odd in cash as well. The Convalescent Soldiers' Home was another institute he did a great deal for, and there •jre few returned men throughout Southland to-day who are not deeply indebted to Captain Todd for some personal act of kindness besides the benefits they have received from the Club or Home. The R.S. of Southland have lost a true and generous friend, the civil population a citizen whose broad mind and public spirit made nim a most valuable member of the community whom it can ill afford to lose. To his widow and family a very large number of friends will exhend their sincere and deep sympathy, and will mourn with them ove.' the loss of one esteemed by all.