THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 22 September 1917, Page 6

THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT

and the victors or messines. 'AN INTERESTING PARADE. (From Malcolm Boss, Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces in the Field.) In the square of an old Flemish town "behind the lines, a day or two ago, was a parade of Imperial troops in connection with the visit of the H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught to the Corps under which the New Zealanders fought in the Battle of Messines. There was a special muster of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, of which the Duke is Colonel-in-Chief. In addition, other troops of all arms were represented in the parade. I The square was bright with bunting, in which the flag of England, the Tricolour, and the Belgian flag were prominent. From every window of the shops and civilians watched the ceremony. The red capes of Brtiish nurses made a splash of colour in the drab background of khaki. Grouped at one side of the square were the trophies from the battleground of Messines. — weapons that the Germans had left behind them in their flight. The Duke, accompanied by General Plumer of the Second Army and General Commanding the Corpsj was received with a Royal Salute as he reached the saluting base. Then, accompanied by the Army and Corps Commanders and the Divisional Generals he made a close inspection of the troops The officers on parade with the troops were introduced to him, and each was greeted with a hearty handsake. Above, the patrol of ’planes flew at varying alifitudes, and looking up we watched their graceful evolutions. Still higher, to invisible heights of 16,000 and 17,000 feet, had climbed the triplanes. The precaution was necessary. for the parade was within easy reach of the German bombers. Indeed, the inspection was scarcely over, when the white puffs of the bursting shells of our anti-aircraft guns could be seen high above on the outskirts of the town. But the massed bands played bright music, and the ceremony went on as quietly as if it were being held in an English field beyond the reach of wars 'alarums. ,>■ The inspection over, three rousing cheers were given for King George. His Royal Highness then returned to the saluting base, and the troops marched past in column ox route, the New Zealand Rifles leading. Afterward the Duke met a number of Brigadiers and staff officers with v horn ho chatted for a few minutes before proceeding along the front to ether scenes.

To the Xew Zealanders the day was .one of special interest, for it was the first occasion upon which the Eifles had seen their Colonel-in-Chief. It was particularly fitting that they should meet thus —on the battlefields of France, and at a time when they were fresh from their part in the defeat of the . enemy in the Battle of Messines.