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The Gisborne Photo News

 

43

A Long Way From Tipperary

It certainly is now! Sixty years in fact. "Tipperary" is the song especially associated with the B.E.F. of 1914 and was sung wherever there were servicemen to sing it during the First World War. This and many other songs are fondly remembered by old Diggers each year when they gather for the "Diggers' Dinner" held on Anzac Day'. This year was no exception and a very enjoyable reunion was held in the Returned Services Bowling Club. The dinner, incidentally, is also attended each year by members of the Air Force Association who wait on the tables for the guests of honour.

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Bob Moles brings the second course for Charlie Mitchell (Wellington Regiment) and Les Stichbury (Auckland Mounted Rifles, and Auckland Infantry).

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R.S.A. past president Fred Phillips chatting to Arthur James (Wellington Mounted Rifles), Alex Loudon (Scottish Rifles) and Sid Gallop (2nd Canterbury).

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Sid Hillyard (1st Auckland Regiment) was also there.

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As were, Wally Cameron, 87, (W.W.C. Regiment), Dave Perston (N.Z.R.B), Jack Pinel (Canterbury Regiment) and Sam Anderson (R.A.S.C).

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Air Force Association president Len File pours a wee drop for Jim Norrie (Gordon Highlanders) and Hugh Black (9th Hawke's Bay)

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Other Diggers at the dinner included Tom Sisterson (Northumberland) and Willie Davison (Royal Navy)

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Fred Downey (Wellington Infantry), Arthur Martin (N.Z. Machine Gun Battalion) and Roy Eaton (N.Z.R.B.).

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Ben Pegler (N.Z.F.A.) and George Wilson (Otago Mounted Rifles).

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Jim Busckeand, Arthur James, who were in the last of the East Coast Mounted Rifles to go from Gisborne.

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From left, Messrs Claude Taylor. (executive), Fred Phillips (past president), Gordan Harris (president), all R.S.A., W.O.1 Bob O'Brien (R.N.Z.I.R.) and Father Leslie, who conducted the Anzac Day service.

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More of the veterans enjoying the function are, Bert Pardoe (Royal Artillery), Stan Spence (2nd Wellington Battalion) and Peter Robertson (Royal Scots).

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Bert Knight (R.F.C. and R.A.F.), second from left, joins Fred Downey, Arthur Martin and Roy Eaton for a noggin.

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Bill Bury (R.F.A.), Charlie Mitchell (Wellington Regiment) and Hugh Black.

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Hira Hutana (Air Force), Ted Edwards (25 Battalion) and John Scott (8th Otago's)

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John Hampson also gave a hand at the dinner. At left is Jim Griffin and at right Roly Graham, both of the Wellington Mounted Rifles

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R.S.A. secretary Jack Flowerday calling the roll

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What those boys would do without Lena Ruru to play all the old songs no one knows! She has played every year at the function — for more years than she cares to remember (she says). God Bless 'Em All.