Life on the home front had been tough for the people
of Thames. Even after peace was declared in November 1918, there were still be
months to wait before the last of the men who had fought overseas arrived home
and life began to return to normal. By the middle of 1919, the Thames Star had
started reporting on important social occasions across the Thames and the
Plains: welcome home parties for our boys who were back from the front.
Across the district, families, church groups and
social clubs were drawing together to welcome their long-absent friends back
from their time serving King and Country. Ngatea planned a grand Peace Ball to
celebrate all of its returned soldiers. In Paeroa, the Pennell family used the
return of Private George Pennell to celebrate both the homecoming of the last
member of the family, and the family’s contribution to the wider war effort.
The Ohinemuri Gazette wondered whether ‘there was a family in any part of the
Dominion who had sent as many representatives to war.’
Another such family were Mr. And Mrs. Payne, who
organised a party at the Masonic Hall on Mackay Street to welcome home Mrs.
Payne’s son, Clarence Ensor.
Gunner Ensor had been a fish curer in civilian life, before
spending three years in the army. He was twenty when he signed up, following in
the footsteps of his older brother. For the night of his homecoming party, the
Thames Star reports the Masonic Hall was ‘gaily decorated with flags,
streamers, pungas and arum lilies... [A] glance around the room was sufficient
to brighten and cheer the most melancholy.’ As friends and family gathered,
music filled the hall and the dancing began.
Mr. S. Ferguson gave a short speech to officially
welcome home Mr. Ensor. As well as embarrassing him with funny stories about
the good old days, Mr. Ferguson also paid tribute to Mr. Ensor’s older brother.
Henry Ensor was believed to be the first man from Thames to be killed in the
war, losing his life at Gallipoli in 1915. Mr. Ferguson ‘congratulated the
young solider for emulating the fine spirit of his older brother, expressed
pleasure at his safe return, and on behalf of his many friends wished him a
long life of happiness.’
The party continued into the night, concluding in the
early hours of the following morning with a loud rendition of Auld Lang Syne.
Comments
Post a Comment