FURLOUGH DRAFT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 42, 19 February 1944, Page 6

FURLOUGH DRAFT

NEXT WEDNESDAY'S WELCOME The detailed arrangements for next Wednesday's parade and civic wclcome to members of the Second New Zealand Division on furlough from the Middle East have been made known by the Mayor, Mr. Allum. Speeches at the welcome ceremony in front of the Town Hall will be made by the Mayor, a Government representative, and MajorGeneral P. H. Bell, C.8., D.5.0., representing the forces in the Northern Military District. Lieutenant-Colonel Sawyers, D.5.0., would be in command of the parade. The welcome had been planned not only for members of the recently returned furlough draft, but also for all personnel of the Second Division, including nursing sisters, V.A.D.'s and Waacs, who had returned from the Middle East since the similar welcome on July 23 of last year. It also included naval personnel and airmen who had served overseas in the battle areas. All these were cordially invited to take part and to be the guests of the city at luncheon in the Town Hall after the parade and outdoor ceremony. Referring to the omission of men of the Third Division in the Pacific on this occasion, the Mayor said that at the appropriate time, when a body of men in - similar numbers to the recent draft arrived in Auckland, an endeavour would be made to give a similar welcome. The parade will be accompanied by the Northern Military District Artillery Regimental Band and the Papakura Camp Band, and will include units from the Royal New Zealand Navy, the Merchant Navy, women's Services, divisional cavalry, armoured regiments, artillery, engineers, divisional signals, infantry, Army Service Corps, field ambulance, hospitals, ordnance, pay corps, dental corps and the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

If the weather is not suitable for the march, the personnel will assemble at 11.45 a.m. in the Drill Hall, Rutland Street, and will march from there to the Town Hall at 12.15 p.m. The programme will then be carried out in the luncheon room.