MEMORABLE DAYS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 February 1940, Page 6

MEMORABLE DAYS

VOYAGE OF THE ANZACS TO EGYPT DESPATCH FROM GENERAL FREYBERG. MEN A PICTURE OF HEALTH. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. A despatch containing an account of the voyage of the New Zealand troops to Egypt was 'received at noon yesterday by the Prime Minister. Mr Savage, from their commander. Major* General Freyberg. V.C. It reads as follows: — "The work of guarding the convoy was carried out by the Royal Navy/ assisted by a powerful escort comprising ships of the Royal Navy, the Royal Australian Navy, the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, and the French Navy. No member of the force will ever forget the wonderful and imposing sight of that fleet of great liners and warships as day by day it forged unmolested toward its goal. The imposing spectacle was photographed from the air by the official cameramen who circled round the leading ships as they steamed up the Red Sea. The whole trip will be remembered by all ranks. It is the first time that troops leaving New Zealand have travelled in great liners of British and foreign mercantile marines. “It was very different from travelling in the holds of cargo ships as their gallant predecessors travelled. On this journey the men had the spacious decks of these liners for deck games and the swimming baths. “In many ways it resembled a cruise, though, of course, every available opportunity was taken to continue the. military training and physical drill of all ranks. I am glad to report that as a result of the healthy life led by the force with the exception of a small amount of illness, a few minor accidents, and one death, the men arrived looking bronzed and the picture of health. “Bombadier Kerr-Taylor, who died from acute heart failure following septic tonsilitis, was buried at sea with full military honours. It is to be recorded that everything medical skill could do was done. Kerr-Taylor was popular with his comrades and officers and his loss was keenly felt by everyone on the transport. “Shore leave was granted to the men at ports of call and this privilege was enjoyed by all to the full.” After making interesting references to ports of call, the General concludes: — “As I write here in my office at Divisional Headquarters ,in our camp I can hear the strain of the band of a famous British regiment and the pipes and drums of a famous Scottish regiment playing one of our units into camp, where an excellent meal has been provided for them and where they will draw their bedding and equipment and make themselves comfortable for the night.”