WINTER IN ENGLAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 263, 27 January 1941, Page 8

WINTER IN ENGLAND

WITH THE N.Z. TROOPS

CONDITIONS IN" NKW QUARTERS

By now the New Zealand troops in England are settled down in their

winter quarters. In an interesting letter just received, Private G. A'. Knox, formerly of Te Kuiti, teWs liow the 21st Rifle Battalion, in which are included many men from this district, are faring this winter in their quarters, described vaguely as living "somewhere riot far from I London."

"These billets had just been vacated by the Free French and we found everything ready for occupation on our arrival after a 5-hour journey,' lie writes. "A fatigue party had already been here for the last few days, and no delay was experienced in placing the men in their quarters. As on embarkation at Wellington, so here —the men were lined up in companies and marched away lo their areas. The companies weie split up into and sent to their houses, one platoon, about 30 men, per house. On arrival at their designated house they found stuck on the doors of the various rooms a | list of those who would be the occupants for the next few months. Three or four men to a room is the average, and plenty of hot and cold water, baths, wash-basins, all conveniences, and electric light are available. Outside lorries were up and down the road, signalmen were running their 'phone headquarters, and cooks were supervising unloading of their equipment. By nightfall everything was set and the tired troops went to sleep early. "Next day they heard standing orders. It is now getting darker every morning, so 'Reveille' is at 7 a.m. and breakfast at 7.30. A large drill hall accommodates most of this battalion. First parade is a[t 9 a.m., 'Dismiss' at 11.30, and lunch at 12, with the next parade, at 1.30 p.m. This is at the company commander's disci etion and until tho various sports giounds arc arranged the afternoon is allotted to washing. 'make and mend,' and general cleaning up of the billets and grounds. Once the grounds are arranged, organised games will carry on and inter-unit fixtures will be the order of the day. Then will comes tea at 5 p.m. and after tea local leave in the command till 10.30

p.m "We are just around the corner from the town, and there are three theatres, dances and cafes to amuse the men. Those who stay at home light their fyres—there is one m every room —and read, or if the coast is clear, indulge in a little 'Slippery Sam' or the inevitable 'Crown and Anchor.' And so. with the issue.of an extra blanket to-day, we settle in for what will be for the majority of us, our first experience of an English winter. "Last Saturday the N.Z. Forc6s (U.K.) played the London Division at Rugby. It was a rainy day, but in spite Of this there was a huge attendance of supporters for both sides. The field was surrounded by trees, this affording cover for trucks and cars. A.A. guns were mounted, and no notice was taken of air raids that occurred during the day. Two or three 'brass hats' were about. T don't think I'd seen so many generals together before. The score ended 7 points to 3. All during the game the N.Z. sporting spirit was m evidence when brilliant play on the Englishman's part would bring forth bursts of applause from the boys. There was no favouritism —good play deserved applause and got it. If it had been a fine day it would have been a rollicking good game as there were fast men on the field - There is still plenty of time yet, and before long there will he a good

team going. "The 21st Battalion team, under Lieutenant Bullock-Douglas, lias im proved. We have now played seven games and lost 2. drawn 1 and won 4 as follows: v 22nd, draw 0-0; v 23rd, lost 6-15; v Maoris, loss fo-21; v NZ Artillery, won 8-6; A.S. and Div. Com., won 27-6; Engineers and Forestry, won 1/--6; v 29th a I taiion (under I'. Solomon) won J-b. "All the parcels seem to be arriving O.K. All the troops save their N.Z. stamps for the kiddies and hand them over with remarks like have you got any big sisters? 4i For all those so inclined night courses of study 'are being" arranged for, and those who were studying for examinations in N.Z. can cairj on r : moving