WARM WELCOME
MESSAGES FROM THE KING & MR EDEN. TROOPS IN HIGH SPIRITS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) RUGBY, June 20. The War Office announced early this morning: “Large contingents/ of the Australian Imperial Force) and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, which left these Dominions in May, have disembarked at a port in Britain and are proceeding to their concentration areas. The troops are reported to be all well and in high spirits.”
The following message from the King has been given to the officers commanding the Australian and New Zealand contingents, on their arrival in Britain: — “A few months ago I sent some words of welcome to the first contingents of the second Australian Imperial Force and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, when they disembarked in the Middle East and now it has fallen to your lot to come to Britain itself and, as you take your place beside us, you find us in. the forefront of the battle. To all 1 give a warm welcome, knowing the stern purpose that Brings you from your distant homes. I send you my best wishes and I look forward to visiting you soon.” The War Secretary (Mr Anthony Eden) sent a message, “on behalf of all ranks of the army in this country.” In it Mr Eden said: “You come at a timely hour. The enemy has thrown his weight into the'onslaught and the cause of free nations needs every measure of support that can be given. Doubly welcome then is your presence at this moment. Doubly glad I know you are to be here. With Australia and New Zealand represented in two theatres of war, and with Canada and South Africa taking their full part, we can now present to the enemy a truly Imperial front which, as he has learned from past experience, has never been and never will be broken by him. However stern the struggle, we are confident that victory will finally crown our arms.”
The New Zealand contingent includes the Maori Battalion.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1940, Page 4
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338WARM WELCOME Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1940, Page 4
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