BACK IN NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24237, 20 April 1944, Page 6

BACK IN NEW ZEALAND

SERVICEMEN FROM OVERSEAS

ENGLISH WIVES ALSO ARRIVE

(P.A.) WELLINGTON. April 19. Included in the latest party of servicemen to return from overseas were members of all branches of the services who had experienced a great deal of war’s adventures. Some had been prisoners of war, and in one or two cases their return from enemy hands was not by the repatriation method. They spoke very highly of the morale of the people of Britain, and of the confident manner in which the people looked to the outcome of the big operations that were to take place shortly. In spite of strict rationing, everybody seemed to get a fairly good variety of food, A New Zealander who visited England during the blitz was there again, recently, and commented on the changed attitude of the people, due mainly to the thousands of aeroplanes now crossing the channel to bomb the enemy. , . The people of Britain were working hard and long hours so that there would be a successful outcome of the A number of returned airmen were wearing a service ribbon new to this country—the 1939-43 service star—and most of the soldiers wore the Africa Star ribbon, bearing, the figure eight. Wives and Children With the comparatively small party of returning servicemen there were 52 wives and 39 children of New-Zealand servicemen who married in England. The wives were happy at being at the end of the journey to jmn their husbands in starting out life in a new country, and the children, hale and hearty, were all excitement over the new experience, just as were those who saw to it that the newcomers were made to feel at home. Reception arrangements for the children, as well as for the others, were excellent, and in what was done for the children there was good reason for the little ones to be temporarily diverted from the fond attentions of fathers who had been eagerly awaiting them. One of the soldier’s wives commented: “Everybody has been most kind and friendly, and we aooreciate it very much.” They had come to know much about New Zealand, and were most hopeful of the prospects which it held in store. Some of the womenfolk were the wives of members of the New Zealand Forestry unit which was located in Britain for some time. Others were wives of members of the Air Force and there were some who had married members of the New Zea. land Division which fought in the Middle East campaign. There were one or two whose husbands had been killed on active service. Welcoming the wives and children on behalf of the Government and people, the Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) wished that they might be happy in this land, and with the people. Mr Sullivan also welcomed tiie returning servicemen, stressing gratification for the service they had given. He was sure the new arrivals would find themselves in a hospitable country among people who would make them welcome. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom (Sir Harry Batterbee). the chairman of the Harbour Board, a representative of the Returned Services’Association (Mr W. E and the Minister of Rehabilitation (the Hon. C. F. Skinner) were associated with Mr Sullivan in welcoming the newcomers and servicemen. List of Men who Returned - The following Is a list of members of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. who returned, the address given being that of the next-of-kln;— t Greensmlth, Lieutenant George William. England. Burt, Gnr. Byron Newman, England. Chalmers, Pte, Donald Scott (former prisoner of war), Auckland. Christie, : Spr. Alexander Montague, Wanganui. Collett, Pte. John Phillip Crampton (former prisoner of war), Wellington. Corrle, Gnr. George Leslie, England. Dotchin, Sgt. Bernard, Scotland. Evans, Pte. Desmond Noel. Christchurch. Gilpin, Pte. William Henry, Christchurch. Gray. Spr. Maxfleld Robert, Mangapeehi. Hazelhurst, Bdr. Raymond Cecil, England. Henrle, Pte. Reg. Victor, England. Hlrd, Sgt. Jeoflrey, England.' Job, Gnr. Arnold John, Rotorua. Jones. Pte. Mervyn Robert, Pukekohe. Mackayj Gnr. Christopher Campbell, ScotMcLeod, Pte. Kenneth Henry, Taumarunul. Macrae, Gnr. Murdock (former prisoner of war), Khandallah. Maybee, Pte. Edward Cecil (former prisoner of war), England. Clausen, pte. Reginald Bruce (former prisoner of war), Wellington. Panting, Temp, Staff-Sgt. Charles Stuart, . Palmerston North. Paul, Spr. George Walker, Scotland. Phllipson, Dvr. Jack Bright, England. Reynolds, Gnr. Kenneth Reginald, Auckland. Robson, Pte. James Neil (former prisoner of war), Glen Afton. Rose, Gnr. Trevor Sydney, Blenheim. \ Shend, Temp.-Corporal John, Thames. Shagcott, Lance-Cpl. Thomas James, EngSheehan, Sglmn. John Edward James, Hawera. SUyCTWood, Dvr. Earle Reginald, Hastings. Strickland, W.O. Harold John Clement (former prisoner of war), England. TWstram, Dvr. Herbert John, England. Whitaker, Sgt. Thomas Shackleton, Auckland. Wlnterbum, Private Akapita William Paul. Otakl.