"DIGGER" BIRDWOOD

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10604, 1 June 1920, Page 3

"DIGGER" BIRDWOOD

WITH HIS MEN AT SYDNEY "ONE OF THEMSELVES," SAY THE BOYS. That General Sir W. ,K. (''Digger") Birdwood, who is duo to arrive at Wellington • to-morrow is beloved of tho Australian "diggers" admits of no doubt, judging by the intimate and affectionate terms with • which they greeted him upon his arrival at Sydney last month. As witness: — •'I am glad to have the. chance of meeting you all again and seeing something of you in your homes. It is what I came to Australia for, to -ice you 5 nd your, relations." Be held up a large drawing which had been sent to him on his arrival at Fremantle, by the 28th Battalion. It- represented a large hand being held out to a little general, and underneath were the words —"Put it- there, old man."

"There it is," said the general, "the great big hand of tho great bighearted "digger" that was held out to welcome me, and I thought to myself —'No man on earth would wish for a better welcome than that.'"

Responding to thuuderous applaud, General Birdwood commenced by a reference to what usually happened when a general visited the troops on tIM western front.

"Well." he said, ''do.you want a spell for four days*, or possibly three?" (I-aughter.) A soldier: Give us a tip for tho races, "Birdy." Geneial Birdwood (smiling) : I was just-going to ask you for one. (Great laughter.) A Digger: Artilleryman. General Birdwood: ."Artilleryman is not too bad." (Laughter.) ■■- - ■ "I am glad to meet. - you here, - General Birdwood proceeded. "I dareBay some of you who were at Bray remember I said that K I did not see you back in France I would see you in Australia." The Diggers: "So you did. Birdy.' A soldier: "What do you think of our harbour, Birdy?" General Birdwood: "They haven't given me a chance to see if yet. I hope to see it on Sunday morning.'' "Well, boys," he went on, 'I think vou all want to go to;.the races, and I'll go there, too." (Cheers.) As the general commenced to> walk over to Ins car "to 'makeTa formal call on the Premier.' ho was captured.by the assembled "diggers" and ed." Fully fifteen minutes elapsed before he was able to gain a scat in his car, and it was then uncertain whether he had managed to retain his can. But when,General,,Birdwood arrived at the' .Treasury" steps io call on the Premier one of his staff handed him his cap.