THOUGHTS OF YESTERYEAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 303, 23 December 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

THOUGHTS OF YESTERYEAR.

(By A.J.C.) IT is just a quarter of a century since New Zealand's embryonic citizen army spent its first Christmas on active service on the sands of the Egyptian desert, and what memories come to mind as one lets one's thoughts dwell on those days of yesteryear. To arrive at Heliopolis* somewhere near midnight, march to allotment and find there was nothing but the chilly sand to lie one, with only a blanket for covering, is not an enviable experience, especially after a long, tiring journey. After being supplied with a buttered roll and a cup of hot coffee, each curled up in his blanket and triad to sleep until morning. But there was very little chance of that, owing to the intense cold of the sand, which, with the heavy dew, made it impossible for us to drop off. Quite a number developed pneumonia and lost their lives.

Christmas arrived and with it the first mail and parcels galore. Thsre was much excitement among the members of the force, as this was the first time they Lad heard from home, and to re-

ceive the good things from their own people and the patriotic women of New Zealand was certainly cause for delight. All tried to outdo each other in their efforts to share the good things they had to offer. What a wonderful community spirit was cemented in the Division. To one it seems a thousand pities that "that spirit was not brought back into the civilian life of the people. What a different tale we would have to record if that had been put into practice. My second Christmas was spent on a steamer ploughing its way to Alexandria after the evacuation of Gallipoli—and what a Christmas Day we experienced! The steamer had been commandeered by the Navy to take the Auckland Battalion back to Egypt, and left Lemnos early on Christmas morning. Soon after the ship cleared the harbour the quartermaster discovered that inadequate provision had been made to provide rations for. the men, and the best he could do was to s,upply bully beef and biscuits—and not too much of that! If my memory serves me right two men had to share a tin of "Fray Bentos." Needless to say £here was much growling, and loud were the uncomplimentary remarks made about those responsibly foi*" victualling the ship. However, after the oolonel quartermaster had explained the position to the men, they took it philosophically, like the good soldiers they were, and got muc:h ]treasure singing carols and choruses. Arriving bacSt at Ismailia on New \ ear's Eve everyone celebrated the "Old Year Out" and the "New Year In" by singing, with band accompaniment, "Auld Laifg Syne." As the time is drawing near for the departure of the first echelon of the New Zealand Division, I am sure I am voicing the sentiments of old Anzacs when I -wish them bom voyage, success in action and a speedy and safe return.