The remaining members of the Wairarapa branch of the 22nd Battalion, which fought in many battles in the Middle East campaign during World War II, gathered for the last time yesterday, 66 years after they all met established. Yearly get-togethers have been held by battalion veterans across the country for years,but in recent times they have stopped. Wanganui, Taranaki, Auckland, Hawkes Bay, and Wellington branches have all closed, and now only the Manawatu/Horowhenua branch remains. Battalion member and Wairarapa man Bill Perry said the functions had been going for 30 years, and to reach the final one was not without sadness. "There will be, after 66 years." The Battalion was formed on November 14 1939 at Trentham, and embarked for Europe and war on May 2 1940. In its time the soldiers of the battalion served in Britain, Egypt, Libya, Greece, Crete, Italy, Japan and more. The 22nd was at the battles of Battle of Cassino, Trieste and El Alamein, and indeed the commanding officer who led the eighth army into Trieste, Lieutenant Colonel Haddon Donald, was present at yesterday's gathering.
