FIRST ECHELON

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 134, 18 March 1940, Page 8

FIRST ECHELON

TRAINING IN EGYPT.

MEN WELL CATERED FOR. In letter to the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), Major-Gen-eral B. C. Freybcrg referred to the splendid physique of the men, their excellent condition after the voyage from New Zealand, and how the work in the camp was proceeding to plan. One instance of the General’s interest in the entertainment of the men was that he had built a picture theatre to accommodate 1000 men, said Mr Jones at a recruiting rally in Christchurch. Two sessions were held every evening, when the programmes were changed. “Our boys are being well catered for in Egypt,” said the Minister. “The General advises that organised parties are making visits to the historical places, and: that-every care was being taken of the health and welfare of the men, I would say that they could not bG in hands better than Major-General Freyberg’s. They are being excellently trained with modern equipment. We sent men to Egypt before the Ist Echelon to be trained as instructors, and they are now imparting their knowledge to the men already there, and will also instruct the 2nd and 3rd Echelons and subsequent reinforcements.”