Silver Casket as Mark of Appreciation for Hospitality magnificent expression of gratitude on the part of the Shang-fai Defence "Force for the work which has been carried on in. te-creational centres for them was seen on Monday afternoon in the presenta tion of a silver casket topped by a beautifully carved British ion' in silver mounted on a black pedestal About five fect in height. Tnuctibed on the pedestal were the words "Presented by warrant-oticers, no commissioned affeers and men of the Shanghai Defence Force as token of their gratitude for the kindness and shown them during their stay here"; and followed the avticipating:—Field Head~ at Field Brigade, RAs 1th Field Battery, R-A'j 82nd, foch and 98th Field Battery, RA? Royal cnimeors, Royal Corps Signals; LIT. Q. 13th Infantry Brigade, 1st 'Bre een Howards, 1st Bu. The Border Regiment; Ist Bu. the Middlesex Regiment; 1st Bu. the Bedfordshire ed & Hertfordshire' Regiment; Royal. Marines Bu.; 6th Armoured Car Compnay; Royal Tank Corps, Royal Army Serv 'The ceremony took, place in the Ferry Road Centre of the B.F.R" and was opened by Majot-Geners Sir John Duncan who apoko on be-halt' of the warrant-officers, commissioned officers and men of Force, He made appreciative ref erence to the work of Shanghat ladies which had gone on throughout the summer months and had provided the men with entertain ment so badly needed in a place like Shanghai, In closing, hygzskod Lady Barton, Chairman of the Adminis trative' Committee of the B.P. and Hon, President of th to accent the gift thus Lady Barton's Thanks Lady Berton then thanked the mors in the following wards:—"This is a very proud day for the British Women' and their fellow workers of other nationalities in Shanghai. Although we may not be politicians, or even understand much about polities, still we have tall been told what the coming of the British Forees meant to Shanghai. What we did not require to be told was what an opportunity their coming afforded us women, to da something to try and make them fee! at. home.
As British Women, ably and loy= ally supported ly fellow workers of other nationalities, we wore grateful for the opportunity of rendering some definite service and we that the memory of this call to service will long remain with us as {neentive to unity and preparedness for future calls, Certainly the Forces have done their best ensure that we shall not forget, for their perfectly magnificent memento is in itself @ standing challenge to try in the future to do. something really worthy of such a. gilt, for we surely have not dono so yot. I doubt if any other group of women anywhere is privileged to possess presentation bearing the names of s0 many distinguished Regiments and"I only wish I could find words to express what we all feel. ANT can say is that we are intensely proud and intensely grateful to you sll for your wonderful gift."
On the speakers' platform were, besides Lady Barton and General Duncan, Col. Bromhad; Col. Brown. rigg; Capt. Gardham; Members of the Advisory Committee, BF-RE; Members of the Administrative Committee; Sir Sidney Barton, Kalphy Mes, Gauntlett, Col, Ensor and Mrs: Nield.
After the short ceremony the large audience present passed along the platform on which the presenta jon stood and viewed it at close range. It is understood that the interior of the casket will eventually contain a scroll on which will be written a report of the work ear-vied on by the BF.R-C The testimonial will be placed in B.W.As Headquarters for a time.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.