LAMB IN THE DESERT

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 43, 14 November 1940, Page 12

LAMB IN THE DESERT

First Echelon Unit ANNIVERSARY REUNION Dominion Special Service. AUCKLAND, November 13. Now Zealand lamb and mint sauce served on white tablecloths in lhe desert was one of lhe treats given to A section of lhe Illi Reserve Motor Transpoft Company, New Zealand Army Service Corps, first echelon, when it held its first anniversary reunion “soniewere with the Middle East forces” on October 6, according to a litter received front a sergeant in Hie unit. Most of the men are from Aucklaml. 'rhe original section included only those trained at Ngaruawahia and Papaktira, but many were transferred when the section combined with southern units to form a full company. Though, the men were fully engaged on active service, when Hie date arrived for celebrating Hie anniversary of their first donning l;lmki, the commanding officer, Major Whyte, had arranged for most of them to be back in time for a group photograph to be taken. Wlien the toast of “The King” had been honoured, Sergeant Dow proposed “the Officers.” In reply, Major Whyte assured the men that, mainly through their adaptability and co-opera-tion, they hail been able to build up Hie present reputation of the unit. Among other toasts honoured were “A Section,” proposed by Lieutenant H. .Muller, and “The Folks at Home.” “Wlien Corporal W. K. Jones rose to propose Hie toast of ‘Absent Comrades,’ even the most hilarious soldiers were suddenly silent,” continues the letter from the sergeant. “Tropical conditions had taken their toll of the unit strength, and some men were in base hospitals and others had returned to New Zealand. One face could never be seen again, however, Driver G. R. Osborn. who had been the first New Zealander ‘killed in action,’ had brought distinction to the unit, for only through his death had others been warned and saved.” Reviewing the year’s work. Major Whyte stated that four months in the field had yielded surprisingly few casualties, and crack British regiments had so praised the company that it had become the envy of the New Zealand force.