THE HEW ANZACS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23315, 29 April 1941, Page 3

THE HEW ANZACS

LORD BIRDWOOD’S TRIBUTE OLD COMRADES GREETED A cordial message of goodwill to his “old comrades” of the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force has been received from Field-Marshal Lord Birdwood of Anzac by the honorary secretary of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force Main Body Association (Auckland), Mr J. H. West. The letter which was written from the Cavalry Club, Piccadilly, on February 17, is in reply to one requesting Lord Birdwood to accept bffice as patron of the association for a further term. ’ “Very many thanks for your letter of December' 17, just received, so kindly informing me that my old comrades once more wish me to be patron of their association.” writes Lord Birdwood. “I need hardly say how glad I am to be able to continue to be thus associated with my old, good, and loyal comrades. “I am sure that all of you feel as I do—that I’d willingly give all I have to be 20 years younger and so once more able to take my stand alongside those very worthy successors of the

old' Now Zealand Expeditionary Force men who are now carrying on so magnificently the great and glorious traditions of the old Main Body from 191418. You, I kqow, long to be with them as I do.

“The Germans have destroyed my home, Deal Castle, but I have the satisfaction that as colonel of the local A.A. regiment my guns have bagged 106 (underlined) German aeroplanes—amateurs are now veterans!

’T hope you get good news of your relations and friends with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. lam kept very busy inspecting troops and looking after the Home Guards scattered about the country. Please give my kindest remembrances to all old comrades.” Deal Castle, to which Lord Birdwood refers, is one of four identical castles erected on the Kentish coast by Henry VIII about the year. 1539, the others being at Walmer, Sandown. and Sandgate. All consisted of a central keep surrounded by four lunettes, or bastions. The castle is Lord Birdwood’s private property, and he holds the ancient office of Captain of Deal Castle under the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.