Bandsmen On Parade

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 126, 30 May 1942, Page 9

Bandsmen On Parade

XITRITING from Syria, a member of one of the brigade bands of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. says:—"Since last writing we have been on a visit to one of our battalions, 40 miles away, practically on the mountainside. A real cold show it was. We went up one afternoon and played a concert in an old barn, where they had their canteen. We stayed the night, bedding down where we could.

"Next morning we startled the Moslem population by playing the battalion through the streets. I have never seen such amazement and wonderment registered on adults' and children's faces. Honestly, they came (the Moslem Arabs, I mean) from everywhere and just gazed wide-eyed as we went by. We marched with the troops for threequarters of an hour and then broke off in another direction on our own. We had difficulty in trying to get along. And doesn't garlic stink— these Arabs are real champs in this stuff. The trip was very interesting and I think that already the band has seen more of Syria than anv other unit of the New Zealand Division.

Next day we played an hour and <?half programme at the American Mission College. The college is for boys and the idea is to teach them English ways and speech. Just inside the door is a big notice: 'Speak English.' All the text books are in English. Coming back from the college I was speaking to one of the ooys—a lad about 17 years of age He said that day they had had New Zealand as their subject for geography, and, of course, he had to try out his knowledge on me. This same boy could speak five languages— French, Arabic, Armenian, Greek and English.

Another visit we had was to listen to a French Foreign Legion band practice. Afterwards I talked with a Yankee who was in the Legion. I asked him if the Lesion was as rough as it was painted. His reply was: 'Yes, and then some.' You can take what you like out of that! He enlisted for five years in the Legion, and has now done four and a of his time, but cannot get his discharge till after the war Each evening now (end of March) ana on some days we have been wearing our overcoats. This morning I hauled out my woollen underwear Apparently the winter weather is not all gone yet. South Island members of the band are firm in their assertions that it is typical snow weather. Perhaps it is, but I feel cold enough without the snow."