RETURNING TROOPS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 99, 21 January 1919, Page 4

RETURNING TROOPS

DRAFT 0F.700 ARRIVES. By TelegTaph—Press Association Auckland, January 20. The transport Ruahine arrived early this afternoon with a draft of over 700 .'officers, nurses, and men. The vessel berthed about 3 p.m., when the'work of medically boarding her complement was immediately proceeded with. The southern men were dealt with, first in order to dispatch them for their homes by special train. The troops aboard the Ruahine were in charge of Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Cunningham. D.5.0., and LieutenantColonel H. T. D. Ackland, C.M.G., was principal medical officer. The Ruahine was the first vessel with overseas troops returning home to negotiate the Channel since the signing of the armistice, and the Mayor and the aldermen of Tilbury marked the occasion by giving the troops a hearty farewell. Over 800 British troops assembled at the docks, and massed bands played as the ship steamed off. No leave was granted at Colon, but at Balboa the American Red Cross sent quantities of fruit and sweets aboard. Educational classes were held throughout the trip. One man. Private Cox, of Timaru, died during the voyage, and was buried at sea. On arrival there were only six cot cases, a reduction of ten on the number taken aboard in England.