Last Men of Original 2nd. N.Z.E.F.

Chronicle (Levin), 30 January 1948, Page 7

Last Men of Original 2nd. N.Z.E.F.

Received Thursdav, 7 p.m. • LONDON, Jan. 29. The last detachinent of the 2 nd N.Z.E.F. still overseas, with. the exception of the New Zealand trooj.>s in Japan, will officially cease to exist on January 31 when "tlie few remaining 2nd N.Z.E.F. personnel still at New Zealand Military Headquarters in London, will be formally transferred from the 2nd N.Z.E.F. to the military liaison staff. Only twro officers and two other ranks are atfected — Brigadier G. .B. Parkinson, New Zealand military liaison officer, wlio will drop his appointment as ' ofiicer commanding the 2nd N.Z.E.F.' (U.K.); ' Major At. L. Yorke, who is' returning to New Zealand for discharge; a warrant ofiicer clerk and a driver. In addition nine New Zealand deserters ,wlio are still at large in the TTnited Kingdom will be transferred from the 2nd N.Z.E.F. strength to tliat of the liaison -detacliment. Alajor Yorke, who is returning to New Zealand by the Ruahine on January 26, has possibly the longest period of eontinuous overseas service of any member of the Expeditionary Foree. He left New Zealand in 1939 with the advance party which preceded the First Echelon and has not returned to the Dominion since. Alajor Yorke served with the Divisional Engineers right through the war until the fi.ua! stages of the cauipaign in Italy an-i was then transferred to London Headquarters where he has been for the past three years.