Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Cairns Post
Sat 16 Mar 1940

HERBERTON AUXILIARY.
R.S.S.L.L.A.
FAREWELL SECOND A.LF. ,
HERBERTON.

The Shire Hall, Herberton, was
crowded last evening, March 12, with citizens who gathered to do honours to, and farewell two members of the Second A.LF., who were here on final leave before embarking on the great
adventure.
The stage was attractively
decorated with flags' and flowers.
The function was organised by the ladies' auxiliary. Music was provided by Messrs. Baldwin (senior and junior), piano and violin; Miss D'Arcy, piano; Mr. S. Forrester, cornet; and
Mr. F. Winkleman, accordion. Rev.
C Lenham led community singing
Mr. W. Moody was M.C
The two volunteers for oversea service were Private R. W. Wardrop, a Herberton native, and Private Andy Gunther, who has lived here some years, and whose relatives are residents of the town.
Community singing and dancing
were enjoyed.
About the middle of the
evening the two guests were called to the stage. The Shire President, Mr. John Ledlie, was in the chair.. The stage was also occupied by members
of the R.S.S.L.L.A. and the Auxiliary.
THE PRESENTATION.
Mr. Ledlie explained the object of
the gathering, saying: "It is very pleasing to see you all here to say goodbye to two of our men who are going away to defend the Empire.
They are Herberton boys, and we are pleased to honour them. We hope they will have the good luck to return and that we shall have the happiness of welcoming
them home."
Mr. W. Piggott, on behalf of the
R.S.S.L.L.A., said things were rather different from when he and his mates went away 25 years ago "We lined up and went off. We. had a lot of flag waving, and did not think we should be doing the waving again. We
are sending these lads on a mission; they're going to cop it, and they're going to take it-six or seven days in the trenches and three weeks out, plenty
of stew, and, I believe they're supplying straws with it this time. They're better off than we were. They have the auxiliary to look after them here, the Red Cross to nurse them when
abroad; and ourselves (the.
R.S.S.I.L.A.) to see them all right
when they come back." In enumerating the advantages that the Second A.I.F. will enjoy, Mr. Piggott remarked: "You'll have bunks; we had hammocks, and were half strangled every night. Mr. Piggott's remarks were received with much laughter and
applause. He wished, the volunteers the best of luck and à happy return on behalf of himself and his fellow Diggers.
On behalf of the auxiliary, Mrs. V.
Morris (acting president, in the
absence of Mrs. H. W. Anderson) presented Privates Wardrop and Gunther with a handsome fountain pen each.
The guests of honour, thanking the R.S.S.LL.A. and the. Auxiliary, also the people of Herberton, said they would never forget the kindness and hospitality they had received.
Private Wardrop said it was their duty to go when they were called for, and (apropos of something Mr. Piggott had said), he assured him that they were certainly ready to "Take it"

FOOTBALL CLUB PRESENTATION.
Cr. Cecil Holdcroft, of the Herberton Football Club, spoke a "few hearty words of appreciation and farewell. Both men had belonged for years to the Herberton Football Club,
and had been great footballers.

"With Wardrop in the front line and Gunther at half, Hitler would have a tough go,'! said Cr. Holdcroft, who then handed
them each a wallet on behalf of the football club.
The National Anthem and Auld
Lang Syne were sung heartily, and concluded the little ceremony.
Supper was served by the auxiliary, assisted hy members of the Younger Set.
Dancing was kept up until a late
hour, when individual good wishes were expressed and goodbyes said to the two volunteers Privates R. H. Wardrop and A. Gunther left Herberton by rail motor this morning for their camp in the south.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/42229794
Submitted by Lyn Turner.