REMINISCENCES OF EGYPT

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1926, Page 1

REMINISCENCES OF EGYPT

LORD ALLENBY PRAISES DOMINION TROOPS.

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 9

At the Returned Soldiers’ Club yesterday, Lord Allonby spoke, of the New Zealanders who served under him, saying that they did brilliant work. In the absence of Mr H. .1. Knight, president, Lord Allenby was welcomed by Afr R. A. Cuthbert, a member of the executive. There was a large attendance of Christchurch members. Afr Cuthbert said that the artillery claimed to be the cream of the British Army, but, speaking generally, the nvost renowned names in military history were those of cavalry leaders. Of Napoleon’s marshals, Ney was the most famous. Lord Allenby was the Alarslial Ncy of tho British Army. They could not- ask him to say what lie thought of the New Zealand Afounted Brigade, as members of the brigade were modest men, and too much praise from Lord Allenby might not be good for them.

Lord Allenby, after returning thanks, said that it would take a long time to prove that one arm of the service was hotter than another. As a matter of fact, he believed that all arms were equally good. No one arm could do without the others, and all must work together. He would assure them that no general had better troops than those lie had had in his command. Amongst them were the New Zealand . Mounted Rifles. They never failed in a single task set them. On every occasion they did more than could reasonably have been expected of them. They always were prepared to go into tlio rockiest country, through floods, into hogs and morasses, and on to the dries and dustiest deserts. Those intrepid horsemen were equally good in, every position. He wished to mention specially a New Zealand officer. Sir E. Chavtor, who commanded the division. New Zealanders who fought in Palestine knew what Sir E. Charter and other New Zealand officers did there. When lie went there in July, the New Zealanders were holding the northern edge of tlio Desert of Sinai. Later, after several attacks had been repulsed and positions taken, he left Sir E. Chavtor with that officer’s mounted division on the plains to meet counter-attacks by the Turks. The New Zealanders did brilliant work by holding the line. They made a brilliant counter-attack against a superior number of Turkish infantry, and they covered themselves with glory. Subsequently, in the Jordan Valley, in cold and wind and most inhospitable conditions, they encountered greatly strengthened reinforcements sent by the Turks, and they would have held on if he had not recalled them. “If f had been asked what I thought of the New Zeaandors,” Lord AWcnby continued, “I could have given a. good account of them. I may say here that it has been a very great joy to meet so many of my old friends. ! am sorry to say that many of my companions are still in the country where they fought; but it may lie some comfort to their friends and relatives to know that their graves have been carefully attended to. Alongside the Mount of Olives there is a large cemetery containing the graves of many men of all ranks and formations. Two pylons indicate the missing—one with names of Xew ZcaI landers, the other with names of AusI Indians. I saw the cemetery and the I memorial in the spring of last year. I They are making good progress with ! Ihe memorial, which will he finished this year or early next. year. It certainly will be an impressive memorial. “This is the last time I shall meet returned soldiers in the South Island, and T wish now to thank you “heartily for the warm welcome Lo Lady Allonby and me. AVe have enjoyed every minute of our visit. It is a a pleasure to meet veterans wlm fought beside me and veterans who fought in France. As Lo those who fell, ‘their name livetli forever more.’ They are resting in God. Those who live are living for their country, their Empire and their rare. What they did has assured to the Empire a lasting peace. Their sacrifices have been for their children, grandchildren, and further descendants. The sacrifices you made 1 were gigantic, but they wore not in vain. '

“I wish the men and women of New Zealand all the prosperous and glorious future they so well deserve. Aon in this country have nil empire ill the making. You will make it a great empire, as great as the Afother Country. You and the other overseas dominions will he forever joined together. As you grow in unity, you will grow in greatness, and you will be worthy of the great, stock that produced you. God bless you.” Lady • Allenby, who accompanied Lord Allenby, was presented with a greenstone tiki ns a souvenir of her visit.