K FORCE TROOPS RETURN

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27395, 7 July 1954, Page 5

K FORCE TROOPS RETURN

FIRST DIRECT FLIGHT TO SOUTH ISLAND The first New Zealand soldiers to return by a direct route to the South Island from Korea arrived at Harewood yesterday morning in Tasman Airways’ DC-6 plane Arabia. There were 23 men from many parts of New Zealand in the group. At the airport, they were met by Mr J. K. McAlpine, M.P., representing the Minister of Defence (Mr T. L. Macdonald), find Captain G. C. Laidlaw, embarkation staff officer. Afterwards, they were welcomed home at the King Edward Barracks by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) and the president of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association (Mr G. D. Hattaway). The commander of Southern Military District (Brigadier H. E. Gilbert) was also present. The party consisted of StaffSergeant E. A. McNabb (Nelson), Sergeants R. E. Atkins (Hastings), D. Johnstone (New Plymouth) and V. R. Thompson (Christchurch), Corporals J. Hura (Christchurch), R. JP. Keelan (Tolaga Bay) and L. R. Smith (Wellington), Bombardiers C. Gordon : (Wanganui) and C. E. Ryan (Sprey- ’ don), Lance-Corporals E. T. Dobson (Oamaru) and C. R. Hartley

(Taranaki), Gunners W. R. A. Ashworth (Hastings), M. J. P. Coleman (Dunedin), A. J. Murdoch (Stirling), C. W. S. Kennedy (Christchurch) and J. R. Powe* (Swannanoa), Drivers D. H. P. Ferris (Wellington), W. Haere (Tolaga Bay), F. J. Reardon (Normanby) and J. Reihana (Temuka), Signalmen J. Haig (Gisborne) and W. J. Ryan (Christchurch), and Craftsman R. P. Stewart (Timaru).