FIRST N.Z.E.F.

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 192, 10 May 1940, Page 5

FIRST N.Z.E.F.

Claim By South African War Veterans A suggestion to members that representations should be made to the authorities with the object, of pointing out that the numerical designations of the echelons should be reconsidered, specially as the first, body of troops to represent New Zealand overseas was the Force that fought in South Africa from 1899 to 1902, was made by Mr. J. I. Goldsmith at the annual reunion in Wellington last night of the South African Veterans’ Association. He said that when the main body left New Zealand in 1914 it became known as the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and it. was not till the outbreak of war in September, 1939, that the defence authorities decided’ to call the body for this present, campaign the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. This was done to avoid confusion between the Expeditionary Forces of 1914-18 and 1939. It was not too late in the day for the South African Veterans’ Association to urge on the Government the desirability of recognizing the fact that the men who fought in the South African War were properly entitled to be designated the First Expeditionary Force. The army that fought in the Great. War of 1914-18 would then be designated the Second Expeditionary Force, and the Forces now going overseas would be known as the Third New Zealand Expeditionary Force. ■When the history of this country came to be written, it. was only right and proper that the existence of a force in South Africa should be properly commemorated. The point was worthy of being brought before the notice of the Government so that historical inaccuracy would Ixj avoided and that proper credit given to the men who actually comprised, the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force.