Congratulations Waikato Gunners

Hugh Vercoe, Graham Black, Barry Cooke and the supporting cast from the Waikato have just held the most terrific weekend commemorating the 100th anniversary of gunners in the Waikato.
The organistaion of a full and intersesting weekend of acivities could not have been achieved without the huge support from HQ 16 Field Regiment, 11/4 Battery and the RNZA Band, and the weekend provided an excellent opportunity for all elements of the RNZA to mix and mingle in both a formal and informal manner. The Formal dinner on the Saturday night, presided over by the chief convenor of the weekend Maj Hugh Vercoe (Mayor of Piako District) was to the highest standard of any Regimental formal dinner (including some great singing by the ex 4 Mdm boys) and the toast to the Regiment by Lt Col Ron Cross (ex RNZA, but as he emphasised `once a gunner always a gunner`) was a great reminder of our mutual bond of service to the country as gunners. The memorial church service at the site of the 5.5in gun on the Sunday morning was very moving and I would hope to publish some of the Rev Bob Short`s sermon here and in the newsletter as it was so appropriate, very effectively relating 100 years of history with the situation the country finds itself in today. The Parade and formal inspection by the Mayor of Hamilton, followed by the morning tea in the council rooms was a perfect time for the ex gunners to mix with the serving gunners. The two members of 11/4 Battery who were promoted by Maj Anthony Mitchelson at the morning tea will probably never forget having their badges of rank presented by the Col Comdt, Colonel Barry Dreyer and the Mayor of Hamilton.

I think that there will be a lot more said about this terrific occasion; I think it will last in peoples memories for a long time, and I want to thank and congratulate Hugh and the Waikato Gunners for making it happen. We`ll make sure the photos get pride of place in the next newsletter.

Tony McLeod
President