Returning After Record Of Overseas Service

Chronicle (Levin), 23 April 1948, Page 5

Returning After Record Of Overseas Service

WELLINGTON, April 23. When Major H. L. Yorke, of Christchurch, steps off the Port Napier at Wellington on Sunday it will be eight years, four months and 14 days since he left New Zealand for service with the Second N.Z.E.F. As far as ean be ascertained by inqulries at Army Headquarters, it seems that Major Yorke's continuous service overseas as a member of the S.econd N.Z.E.F. is a record. This record, moreover, is unlikely to be broken for apparently there is no member of the Second N.Z.E.F. still serving overseas who has not at one time or another returned to New Zealand. Major-.Yarke-enlisted in the engineers in September, 1939, and sailed with the advance party of the first echelon in the Awatea on December 11, 1939. He was commissioned in the Middle East in 1941, promoted to captain in September, 1943, and to' his present rank in 1946. He was a member of I the last detachment of the Second! N.Z.E.F. to remain overseas withthe exception of those with J Force, ! being one of four personnel still attached to New Zealand Military i Headquarters in London when it ceased to exist January 31 of this ; year. He has been serving in the1 United Kingdom siriee May, 1945, He was Mentioned in Despatches m 1945.