KING MEETS N.Z. CONTINGENT

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24896, 8 June 1946, Page 7

KING MEETS N.Z. CONTINGENT

VISIT TO CAMP SITE

INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN UPHAM Official N.Z.E.F. Correspondent. r, .u LONDON. June «. Both the King and Queen spoke to C . Bp M ln C; H. Vpham, V-G «nd bar. “I Christchuroh, to-day, when they, With the two Princesses, visited all the troops camped at Kensington Gardens for the Victory Parade. “Have yoy still the medal I gave vqu last year?” the King asked CapuPham - The Queen asked Captain Upham if he wes enjoying himself. The troops were drawn up tuo and three deep on either side. In the Dominions camp, Tneir Majesties inspected in Jurn the Canadian, Australian. New Zealand, South African, and Newfoundland contingents. They were met at the head of the New Zealand lines by Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Puttick and Colonel L. W. Andrews. V.C., and, as they moved slowly past the New Zealanders, who were standing rigidly to attention, the Queen stopped for a word v ith a Wren, a Wasc, a naval officer, and a •oldier, while the King chatted with others on the opposite side of the path.

The High Commissioner for New Zealand (the Rt. Hon. W. J. Jordan), Brigadier A. E. Conway, and Commander Holden, who commanded New Zealand’s squadron of “little ships" in the Solomons, were present. The King end Queen spent 30 minutes with the New Zealanders and Australians, who lined up, spotlessly turned out, along the shaded paths. Th ?. 1 5 ln f’ in an •dmiral’s uni’orm, walked down the right-hand side of the paths and the Queen took the left, with the Princesses between them. They first inspected a regiment of the Royal West African Forces and moved on for an hour through the Colonial section, where they met troons from Aden, Zanzibar. Ceylon, and Malta. They then inspected the Dominion contingents. Yesterday the Dominion VC. winners Were entertained by film interests to lunch, a special showing of the new British film “Bedelia.” rnd a cocktail party. Colonel Andrew, Squadron-Leader L. H. Trent. Captain Upham, and W.O. II A. C. Huhne were present. Although the party are now not enjoying their stay in a wet. uncomfortable camp, they ere making the best of things, and are thoroughly enjoying London hospitality. They have taken their training in the mornings very seriously, and are now marching magnificently. Colonel L. Ropner (Conservative) will ask a question in the House of Commons to-morrow about the leaky tents provided for the Dominion and Colonial victory contingents quartered in Kensington Gardens.