HAPPY MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 April 1941, Page 6

HAPPY MEMORIES

KENTISH WOMAN’S LETTER.

ADMIRATION OF NEW ZEALAND TROOPS.

Indicating the impression made by the N.Z.E.F. in England and revealing the feelings of English people, the following letter from Mrs Violet Pym. I who lives in Kent, written to Colonel Y 1 R. S. Park, N.Z. Military Liaison Ofy fleer in Britain, has been received by ([ the Minister of Defence:— o “In view of the complaints that one e is apt to hear of troops billeted in the d country districts. I wonder if it would e interest’ you to know that during this autumn I had the privilege of billeting o! part of a certain battery of New Zea- - land Artillery on and around this farm a —some fifty or sixty men and five officers. My husband and sons being e cither on active service or away at .. school and only myself and small f daughter left at home, I viewed the i arrival of the troops with a little apprehension, but my slight, anxiety was ’ short lived. I have never met with - such consideration, courtesy, gentle- - ness and cheerful adaptability, and ' the sense of brothers in arms that • existed between officers and men was ■' an inspiration. The troops had the run ■' of the farm and any damage uriwit--1 tingly dene to any part of it was • quickly and efficiently put right'. \ [■ "We have not up to now had any • connection with -Now Zealand, and ’ ’ regret to .say, little knowledge of your ■ beautiful country, but from down in this small corner of England will go ’ out a strong link of interest and friendship. "It was very sadly that we one day i had to say goodbye to them all and ; watch a long line of guns and lorries . disappearing down the lane into a grey wet dawn, but their stay here will always remain one of our very happiest of memories ”