Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 17, 2014 21:48:25 GMT 12
As a society we have become more and more conscious in recent years of the need to honour our war veterans. So it is interesting to stumble across this article with the same theme from 83 years ago.
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20890, 4 June 1931
HONOUR TO VETERANS.
THE ANNUAL LUNCHEON.
A CRIMEAN SURVIVOR.
GOVERNOR-GENERAL PRESENT.
A good muster of members of the King's Empire Veterans attended the annual King's Birthday luncheon at the Town Hall yesterday. For the second time in succession the gathering was honoured by the presence of the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and the Lady Bledisloe.
By far the oldest guest was Sergeant James Sandbrook, 14th Foot, a Crimean veteran 98 years of age. Mr. Sandbrook, who has lived at Devonport for about two years past, had never before taken part in the annual reunion.
From the Veterans' Home, the commandant, Major J. A. Wallingford, and the matron, Mrs. Wallingford, brought a party consisting of all the inmates whose health permitted them to attend. Ten of these were over 80 years of age, the majority being veterans of the Maori War. Many other veterans were escorted to the luncheon by wives, daughters or friends.
The Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, presided, and among those present were the Mayoress, Rear-Admiral G. Blake, commanding the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy; Colonel J. E. Duigan, officer commanding the Northern Command, Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt, commanding the Hobsonville air base; Major-General Sir George Richardson, president of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association, Lieutenant R. S. Judson, V.C.; Mr. A. G. Lunn, representing the Auckland Patriotic Association, Mr. W. Wallace, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board; the deputy-mayor, Mr. A. J. Entrican, and Mr. M. H. Wynyard, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board.
Veterans Congratulated.
In proposing the toast of Their Excellencies, the Mayor took occasion to assure the veterans on behalf of the City Council that notwithstanding the hard times their annual gathering was not in jeopardy. I can say that so long as the present council remains in office there is no prospect of a 10 per cent cut in this respect," he said, amid laughter. "We feel honoured in being able to entertain you once a year."
Lord Bledisloe, in proposing 'The King's Empire Veterans," recalled the good service performed by one ol his predecessors, Lord Ranfurly, in establishing the Veterans' Home in 1903 ard in founding at the same time an organisation in which naval and military veterans living in New Zealand might enjoy happy comradeship. His Excellency specially welcomed Sergeant Sandbrook and congratulated him on attaining his great age. I offer him my earnest good wish that, like our promising New Zealand cricketers, he will reach the century," added Lord Bledisloe, who also referred to the services of Captain James Stichbury, commandant and secretary of the King's Empire Veterans, now 89 years of age.
His Excellency expressed regret at the death, since the last annual gathering, of Mr. George ("Rowley") Hill, N.Z.C., veteran of the Crimea, the Indian Mutiny and the Maori War, and that of an inmate of the Veterans' Home, Mr. W. McCullum, aged 81, who had served with distinction at Zeebrugge and had actually been engaged in minesweeping at the age of 70.
Lord Ranfurly's Work.
These old soldiers and sailors, he remarked, had shown an efficiency, devotion to duty and comradeship which deserved to be perpetuated, for the good of the Empire, among the young people of today. He was glad to say that on the cricket field New Zealanders were still showing, as they had shown on the fields of battle, that they were prepared to play for the side and not for themselves individually. If all realised that duty to the community must be placed before merely personal and selfish ends, a fine future would be assured to this already happy Dominion.
His Excellency wished the veterans many happy years of retirement and said he was sure they would be happy in the knowledge that they had served the Empire well. Mr. George Powley, chairman of the King's Empire Veterans, made a brief response. The health of Lord Ranfurly was proposed by Captain Stichbury.
As showing the value of what Lord Ranfurly had done for veterans of older wars, the speaker mentioned that on March 31 last Maori War pensions were being paid to 170 recipients. A year earlier the number had been 209, and approximately 90 pensioners had died in the past two years. Mr. Stichbury praised the untiring efforts of Lord Ranfurly and the members of his family to raise the fund with which the Veterans' Home had been built and endowed.
The Fighting Services.
The deputy-mayor, Mr. A. J. Entrican, responding, said that Lord Ranfurly, at his home in the North of Ireland, still cherished memories of the New Zealand veterans. Mr. M. H. Wynyard, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, who proposed the Navy, Army and Air Force," recalled a touching sight he had witnessed years ago when the tattered old colours of the 58th Regiment were removed from the Supreme Court to the vestibule of the Public Library. Althougn 1500 men of the regiment had settled in Auckland after the Maori War, only 15 could be mustered for the ceremony. He would always remember how tho old men had fondled tho colours with tears running down their cheeks, as the past came back to them and they thought of comrades long dead.
Rear-Admiral Blake, who replied on behalf of the Navy, said many were apt to forget that the Navy was still the Empire's first line of defence, and that to the Old Country interference with the trade routes meant starvation, while to New Zealand it meant ruin. Over 60 per cent, of the New Zealand Division are New Zealanders born and bred," he remarked. "After 34 years' experience of the Navy I can say that I never wish to command a better lot of men. In every emergency they have done invaluable work and have shown, like everyone in this country, enterprise and initiative."
Thanks to Organisers.
Colonel Duigan, on behalf of the Army, said he had every hope that the Territorial Force, on its new voluntary basis, would be in full swing before the next King's Birthday came round.
Squadron-Leader Isitt, in speaking of his co-operation with naval and military forces in New Zealand, said the work of territorial artillerymen with 60-pounder guns had been equal to anything he had seen in the Great War.
A vote of thanks to the City Council, the Patriotic Association, the Returned Soldiers' Association and voluntary helpers, who had been jointly responsible for organising the gathering, was carried on the motion of Mr. Wallace.
Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem were sung before tho veterans departed to their homes. Songs were contributed by Mrs. Allen and Mr. Len. Barnes, a cornet solo by Mr. Fred Bowes and instrumental music by the orchestra of the Auckland Municipal Band, under Mr. G. Buckley. The pieces chosen were favourite old-time airs such as the veterans might be expected to enjoy.
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20890, 4 June 1931
HONOUR TO VETERANS.
THE ANNUAL LUNCHEON.
A CRIMEAN SURVIVOR.
GOVERNOR-GENERAL PRESENT.
A good muster of members of the King's Empire Veterans attended the annual King's Birthday luncheon at the Town Hall yesterday. For the second time in succession the gathering was honoured by the presence of the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and the Lady Bledisloe.
By far the oldest guest was Sergeant James Sandbrook, 14th Foot, a Crimean veteran 98 years of age. Mr. Sandbrook, who has lived at Devonport for about two years past, had never before taken part in the annual reunion.
From the Veterans' Home, the commandant, Major J. A. Wallingford, and the matron, Mrs. Wallingford, brought a party consisting of all the inmates whose health permitted them to attend. Ten of these were over 80 years of age, the majority being veterans of the Maori War. Many other veterans were escorted to the luncheon by wives, daughters or friends.
The Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, presided, and among those present were the Mayoress, Rear-Admiral G. Blake, commanding the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy; Colonel J. E. Duigan, officer commanding the Northern Command, Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt, commanding the Hobsonville air base; Major-General Sir George Richardson, president of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association, Lieutenant R. S. Judson, V.C.; Mr. A. G. Lunn, representing the Auckland Patriotic Association, Mr. W. Wallace, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board; the deputy-mayor, Mr. A. J. Entrican, and Mr. M. H. Wynyard, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board.
Veterans Congratulated.
In proposing the toast of Their Excellencies, the Mayor took occasion to assure the veterans on behalf of the City Council that notwithstanding the hard times their annual gathering was not in jeopardy. I can say that so long as the present council remains in office there is no prospect of a 10 per cent cut in this respect," he said, amid laughter. "We feel honoured in being able to entertain you once a year."
Lord Bledisloe, in proposing 'The King's Empire Veterans," recalled the good service performed by one ol his predecessors, Lord Ranfurly, in establishing the Veterans' Home in 1903 ard in founding at the same time an organisation in which naval and military veterans living in New Zealand might enjoy happy comradeship. His Excellency specially welcomed Sergeant Sandbrook and congratulated him on attaining his great age. I offer him my earnest good wish that, like our promising New Zealand cricketers, he will reach the century," added Lord Bledisloe, who also referred to the services of Captain James Stichbury, commandant and secretary of the King's Empire Veterans, now 89 years of age.
His Excellency expressed regret at the death, since the last annual gathering, of Mr. George ("Rowley") Hill, N.Z.C., veteran of the Crimea, the Indian Mutiny and the Maori War, and that of an inmate of the Veterans' Home, Mr. W. McCullum, aged 81, who had served with distinction at Zeebrugge and had actually been engaged in minesweeping at the age of 70.
Lord Ranfurly's Work.
These old soldiers and sailors, he remarked, had shown an efficiency, devotion to duty and comradeship which deserved to be perpetuated, for the good of the Empire, among the young people of today. He was glad to say that on the cricket field New Zealanders were still showing, as they had shown on the fields of battle, that they were prepared to play for the side and not for themselves individually. If all realised that duty to the community must be placed before merely personal and selfish ends, a fine future would be assured to this already happy Dominion.
His Excellency wished the veterans many happy years of retirement and said he was sure they would be happy in the knowledge that they had served the Empire well. Mr. George Powley, chairman of the King's Empire Veterans, made a brief response. The health of Lord Ranfurly was proposed by Captain Stichbury.
As showing the value of what Lord Ranfurly had done for veterans of older wars, the speaker mentioned that on March 31 last Maori War pensions were being paid to 170 recipients. A year earlier the number had been 209, and approximately 90 pensioners had died in the past two years. Mr. Stichbury praised the untiring efforts of Lord Ranfurly and the members of his family to raise the fund with which the Veterans' Home had been built and endowed.
The Fighting Services.
The deputy-mayor, Mr. A. J. Entrican, responding, said that Lord Ranfurly, at his home in the North of Ireland, still cherished memories of the New Zealand veterans. Mr. M. H. Wynyard, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, who proposed the Navy, Army and Air Force," recalled a touching sight he had witnessed years ago when the tattered old colours of the 58th Regiment were removed from the Supreme Court to the vestibule of the Public Library. Althougn 1500 men of the regiment had settled in Auckland after the Maori War, only 15 could be mustered for the ceremony. He would always remember how tho old men had fondled tho colours with tears running down their cheeks, as the past came back to them and they thought of comrades long dead.
Rear-Admiral Blake, who replied on behalf of the Navy, said many were apt to forget that the Navy was still the Empire's first line of defence, and that to the Old Country interference with the trade routes meant starvation, while to New Zealand it meant ruin. Over 60 per cent, of the New Zealand Division are New Zealanders born and bred," he remarked. "After 34 years' experience of the Navy I can say that I never wish to command a better lot of men. In every emergency they have done invaluable work and have shown, like everyone in this country, enterprise and initiative."
Thanks to Organisers.
Colonel Duigan, on behalf of the Army, said he had every hope that the Territorial Force, on its new voluntary basis, would be in full swing before the next King's Birthday came round.
Squadron-Leader Isitt, in speaking of his co-operation with naval and military forces in New Zealand, said the work of territorial artillerymen with 60-pounder guns had been equal to anything he had seen in the Great War.
A vote of thanks to the City Council, the Patriotic Association, the Returned Soldiers' Association and voluntary helpers, who had been jointly responsible for organising the gathering, was carried on the motion of Mr. Wallace.
Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem were sung before tho veterans departed to their homes. Songs were contributed by Mrs. Allen and Mr. Len. Barnes, a cornet solo by Mr. Fred Bowes and instrumental music by the orchestra of the Auckland Municipal Band, under Mr. G. Buckley. The pieces chosen were favourite old-time airs such as the veterans might be expected to enjoy.
