TE PUKE, BAY OF PLENTY
WORLD WAR TWO
CAIRO REUNION OF TE PUKE SOLDIERS
02 SEPTEMBER 1943

TE PUKE TIMES

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1943

CAIRO REUNION

TE PUKE SOLDIERS MEET

AIRGRAPH REPORT FROM GRAHAM GEMMING

 

We are very pleased to receive and proud to publish the following airgraph message from Pte. Graham Gemming, who not so long ago was the boy who did all the work at the Times office.  That was before the present proprietor fell in up to his neck and has now to do it himself.

Dated Friday, September 3rd, 1943, the message reads: This news will, I am sure, stir a little interest in our district and son behalf of all the "Te Puke Old Boys" I am getting this away as quickly as possible.  I am afraid I am not much of a hand at this game but you will see that for yourself.

Last night (Thursday, Sept 2) as many Kiwis as could attend (who were one time residents in Te Puke district) were at a reunion in the Union Restaurant, Cairo.  The evening was a great success and everybody enjoyed themselves by meeting and talking over old times with the cobbers.  You will understand that this outfit is such a huge concern that even as we are situated at present it is nearly always only by chance that we see many of the local boys who are not in our own or neighbouring units.

Well, last night was one where we met the majority of our cobbers and we will not soon forget the occasion and its pleasant memories.  Ned Palmer occupied the chair (nearly as capably as his father has been doing for so many years) and together with his off-sider, George Wilkins kept the party lively and swinging smoothly and making the time pass too swiftly — which was the only complaint anybody had to offer.

"Grace" was said by Jack Barrow, after which "The King" was duly honoured.  An excellent dinner was done justice to, then Henry Potaka proposed "Kindred Services" and Ted Rielly responded.  One minute’s silence was observed for "Old Comrades".

The toast by George Wilkins, "Old Tommy Palmer" was honoured with all the enthusiasm it deserved.

Peter Delaney very ably rendered a song ("Whistling Rufus") after which George Wilkins sang a medley of popular songs.  Lew Roberts proposed "The Town" and Ted Rielly replied.

George Webber, although he was unable to bring his piano accordion in with him, led community singing, throughout the evening.

Among those present were:

AHOMIRO Jonah
ATTRILL Ted
BARKER Doug
BARROW Jack
BLYTHE John
CLARK George
CONROY Frank
DELANEY Peter
DUCKWORTH Allen
FARQUHAR Owen
FOOTE Allan
GARFORTH Tim
GEMMING Graham
GOODWIN Murray
GORDON Jim
GORDON John
GRAHAM Johnnie
GRAY Jack
HIGGINS Jimmy
HILL Bill
HINE Bill
HINE P
HINTZ Cliff
HUNTER John
MANSEL Bert
McCLURE Allen
McFARLANE Neil
MUNDT Charlie
MURRAY John
PALMER Ned
PHILLIPS Dick
POTAKA Henry
REEKIE Tom
RIELLY Ted
ROBERTS Lew
SHERMAN Stan
SMITH Harry
SPENCER Gordon
THOMAS Gordon
THOMPSON Naira
WALTERS Ralph
WARD George
WATSON Keith
WEBBER George
WILKINS George
WILLIAMS Frank
WILLIAMS George
WILLIAMS H
WILSON Eric (Skin)

Return To HOME

FAMILIES I AM RESEARCHING | MISCELLANEOUS GENEALOGICAL STUFF | NEW ZEALAND — ON LINE GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY RESOURCES | NEW ZEALAND — YOUNG BOY IMMIGRANT SCHEME 1911 — 1914 | NEW ZEALAND DISASTERS AND TRAGEDIES | NEW ZEALAND MISCELLANEOUS GENEALOGICAL INDEXES | NEW ZEALAND LAND WARS — MISCELLANEOUS GENEALOGICAL INDEXES | NEW ZEALAND AND WORLD WAR ONE | NEW ZEALAND AND WORLD WAR TWO | NEW ZEALAND ROLLS OF HONOUR AND WAR MEMORIALS — BY LOCATION | NEW ZEALAND ROLLS OF HONOUR AND WAR MEMORIALS — BY CONFLICT | NEW ZEALAND ROLLS OF HONOUR — MILITARY NURSES | PAKEHA/MAORI TRANSLITERATIONS | PASSENGER LISTS TO NEW ZEALAND | SHAND — FAMILY HISTORY | SOUTH TARANAKI, NEW ZEALAND — GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES | SPONDON, DERBYSHIRE, ENGLAND — GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES | WANGANUI COLLEGIATE SCHOOL 1865 — 1947 | WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY, NEW ZEALAND — GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES