DOMINION TROOPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1940, Page 6

DOMINION TROOPS

ARRIVAL IN BRITISH PORT NEW ZEALANDERS MARCH TO CAMP. GLAD TO BE IN ENGLAND. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received This Day. 10.30 a.m.) LONDON. June 20. An Australian Associated Press representative at a port in Britain says the contingent of New Zealanders. commanded by Brigadier J. Hargest and the Australians, commanded by Brigadier H. D. Wynter, arrived safely after a voyage round the Cape. The troops are in great heart and were given a spontaneous and heartfelt welcome for their timely arrival at a very needy hour for the Allied cause.

The first of the new Anzacs to land on British soil, they are now encamped somewhere in England for final training. As the armada of ships in which they crossed the world to war steamed into port, an official launch bearing messages from his Majesty and Mr Anthony Eden, Dominions Secretary. slipped out and received a thunderous welcome from thousands of Anzacs lining the rails and strung up the rigging to the masthead. They were all there, Diggers with familiar slouch hats and badges, the New Zealanders in their own distinctive uniforms. the Maoris smiling broadly and here and there a splash of the red and white of the Dominion nurses. It was good to see them.

The cry “The Anzacs are here - ’ swept quickly round the port. Shouts and the British thumbs-up sign greeted the ships as they rounded a headland. The tired troops were glad to reach their camp. five, miles away, after marching in full kit after a sixteenhour train journey. In the camp, under cool pines, they found roast beef and boiled and baked potatoes and beans waiting. A medical officer from Wanganui said: "'All are in the best possible health and extremely fit after the voyage. They have got camp floorboarding and palliasses, much better than the B.E.F. had.”

An Auckland man, commenting on the voyage, said: “We had a grand trip, just like being at home. The ship hardly rocked. We had a fine time. It is grand to see England. It looks a great country.” The Maoris caused the greatest interest, their unfamiliar and swarthy faces attracting much attention. Throughout the voyage the members of a Maori concert party established a great reputation. Several New Zealanders brought musical instruments, one proceeding to camp carrying a concertina, but another, more cunning, sent his baggage in a van. It will be several days before all the New Zealanders arrive. Their good reputation in the last war is still remembered and assures the New Zealanders a welcome on all sides.

UNDER CANVAS CAMP RINGED WITH PINE TREES. GENERAL FREYBERG STILL IN EGYPT. (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, June 20. A special representative of the Australian Associated Press says: “Smiles, cheering and handwaves greeted the New Zealanders on their arrival at their camp, which is not in the same place as that of the Australians, but where peaked hats and an anti-tank battery were familiar throughout the winter. The troops are under canvas in a pine tree ringed camp, which the B.E.F. recently occupied after their evacuation from Dunkirk. The Maoris arrived at 4 a.m., after which successive troop trains followed throughout the day, the men marching to the camp to the strains of the Royal Artillery and other bands. There were cheers and smiles from women and children. A typical comment was “It is swell you have come over, son.” Steelhelmeted British soldiers welcomed with the thumbs up sign. A British sergeant-major said to me: “They are as good as our guardsmen, the way they slope their arms and march oil'. Brigadier R. Miles, officer commanding the New Zealand troops in Britain, speaking on behalf of Major-General Freyberg, said: “General Freyberg is still in Egypt. He sends greetings and hopes soon to be here. You must get down to hard work, because the test may come soon. The situation won't daunt, us. ,We must stick it out. The Hun fights the same way with new tactics. It requires backbone, initiative and resource to meet him. I know you've got that.” Brigadier J. Hargest briefly replied: We are glad to be here. We would rather be here than anywhere else in the world. We enter this fight boots and all.” PRECIOUS CARGO.

The Under-Secretary for the Dominions (Mr G. Shakespeare), addressing the men on behalf of the Dominions Office, said: “I arn proud to be the first Government representative to welcome you in the name of all the people of Britain. There will be a thrill in every heart and every home in this country when it is learned that you have arrived. safely. I am grateful to the Royal Navy for delivering a precious cargo from the ends of the earth safely home. You have come to our aid at a most momentous time. Civilisation and our priceless heritage of freedom are at stake. France is sorely wounded, but the fight for freedom will go on. Twenty-five years ago. your fathers and some of you stood with us in the fields of France and clung to the Heights of Anzac. Those names will be remembered wherever the story of brave deeds is told. “Some months ago there came a welcome call ‘The Navy’s here' to men imprisoned in a Nazi ship. So today, in freedom's hour of peril, the cry will go up: ‘The Australians and New Zealanders are here.’ I wish you all Godspeed.” , Brigadier N. S. Falla, on behalf of lhe High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan) said: “To all we extend a hearty welcome. New Zealanders made a name in the last war. I am confident you will make a still better name this time. Your job is a big one. We are all confident in you. The situation is bad, but I know New Zealanders fight best when two tries have been scored against, them. I send the best wishes of all New Zealanders here.”

GREAT ARMADA

TRANSPORTS AND NAVAL ESCORT. STORIES OF HAPPY VOYAGE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, June 20. The New Zealand and Australian troops came in one of the largest single convoys ever to enter port, accompanied by a naval escort. The first ship was one of the New Zealand transports and shouts of “Haeremai” rolled across the water. Then came a'tall ship with the inscription chalked on its side “A.1.F., Aussies. Beware Hitler!” The Australians were shouting “Hitler, here we come.” There were other ships astern, all with the same exuberant spirit.

The official party, headed by the Under-Secretary for the Dominions, Mr G. Shakespeare, a group of Australian officers from Palestine and a New Zealand brigadier, went aboard each transport in turn. The troops besieged them for news from home, and France, then assembled for the official welcome. The speeches on the New Zealanders’ ships were given through microphones and loud-speakers donated by the citizens of Dunedin.

The troops said the voyage was calm throughout. They had regular’ sports and athletic contests and produced a ship's paper. They had shore leave at Cape Town, where they received a tumultuous welcome and also called at Freetown. Thanks to the Navy, they were not molested. They said: “Tell the folks that we are tint and well. Home some day.” Tender after tender later brought the Anzacs ashore to waiting trains. The debarkation waS carried out smoothly. There was no official announcement of their presence until they were safely encamped, but the Anzacs exhuberantly announced their own arrival as they sang their way through Britain and waved their familiar hats.

SOLDIERS’ SONGS MAORIS MAKE PROFOUND IMPRESSION. (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, June 20. The Maori Battalion was the first of thv New Zealanders ashore. Their appearance and bearing made a profound impression, the Maoris singing their own battalion song, composed by a member on the departure from New Zealand. They came ashore in full fighting kit.

The New Zealanders were more serious than the Australians and disembarked in a most orderly fashion, the Australians singing riotously "Roll Out the Barrel” and "Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant-Major.” Then, to the delight of the onlookers, they sang “Waltzing Matilda.” As the troop trains passed through populated areas, every window and door was crowded with waving and cheering civilians. The troops are now encamped. Hour after hour they poured into their - separate camps in a part of England their fathers knew so well. The senior officers enthusiastically praised the rapidity with which the British military officials prepared the camps. It was all fashioned within a fortnight, hot and cold running water installed and dry and wet canteens established. Intense training will start in two or three days’ time. “We are here to fight and we don't mind where,” is the way they approach the war situation. The Australian Associated Press representative with the troops says: “This message I would send to their relatives in Australia and New Zealand. The boys are in splendid shape. They are eager and ready to get their training done and into battle. They like this country. They are well quartered and they are determined not to let down you or their comrades.”

The Post Office advises that cablegrams will be accepted for transmission to members of the Second Echelon. Cablegrams are to be addressed N.Z.E.F., London, and the Regimental number, rank, and name of addressee as well as the designation of the unit to which he is attached should be included in the address. The service is available at 5d a word with a minimum charge of 2s 6d—no charge being made for the address.