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Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 7, 3 October 1941, Page 5

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New Zealand Soldiers EXPLOITS IN GREECE AND CRETE Division In Fighting Trim Two hundred and seventy-one New Zealand soldiers ’ invalided home to the Dominion from; the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Middle East, and at present in Wellington, were accorded an official welcome yesterday. Sickness and ill-health which .developed during their training overseas has been responsible for the return of a number of the men. The brief, formal welcome was extended to the returned men in the lounge of the casualty clearing station in Aotea Quay, where many of them were also received by their next-of-kin and relatives. The speakers were the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser; the mayor of Wellington, Mr. Hislop; the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland; the chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board, Mr. W. H. Price; Mr. Paikea, member of the Executive Council representing the Native race; the president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr. Perry, M.L.0.; and the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones. All the speakers expressed their pride in the achievements of the New Zealand soldiers and their pleasure at seeing them back in their homeland once again. “We know and appreciate what you have done in Greece, Crete and Egypt,” said the Prime Minister. “We are glad to see you restored to your loved ones, and we hope that before long we will be able to welcome all the boys'back home again.” Restoration to Health. The party included Major D. G. Wallace, who practised his profession of medicine in Methven before leaving New Zealand with the Second Echelon. In Egypt he was on the medical staff of the convalescent depot in Moascar, where he said their patients included men who fought in Greece and Crete. The tone and spirit of these men was very high and they were quickly regaining their health. “All they are dying for is another crack at the enemy, mainly the Hun,” said Major Wallace. “The reorganized division is once again in fighting trim -waiting for an opportunity for another smack at the enemy,” said an'officer who served in both. Greece and Crete. "The exploits of the men in those two campaigns should be an inspiration to the people of New Zealand,”’ he added. “The men were absolutely marvellous, particularly in Crete, and if decorations were given for performances they were earned by the drayload.” Exploits of Maoris.

The work of the Maoris, specially in Crete, was praised by this officer. The Maoris, he said, bad covered themselves with glory. He said that in the lighting there his battalion had a position alongside the Maoris. • They had been told there was little likelihood of attack in that particular sector, and everyone was resting. All of a sudden there was a terrific explosion, and within two minutes the Maoris had gone into action with bayonets, independent of instructions. The men of bis battalion were on the left of the line and it transpired there was a big pocket of Germans in front of the Maoris. In a few minutes there was the most amazing slaughter one

could imagine, the Maoris cleaning up about 200 Germans and losing only one of their own men. Tribute to General.

The officer commanding the New Zealamd Forces Overseas, Major-Gen-eral B. C. Freyberg, was most popular and no one could be more considerate for the welfare of his troops, said this officer. Every man in the present party had been personally , talked to by General Freyberg before he left the Middle East on his return to the Dominion. All ranks had an immense liking for General Freyberg. . The men of the New Zealand Division felt that MajorGeneral E. Puttick had done a marvellous job in Greece and Crete, and though all were exceedingly sorry to lose him they were pleased to see him receive the appointment of Chief of the General Staff in New Zealand.

A sergeant from Invercargill who served in the Western Desert campaign was one of an escort which took 1500 Italian prisoners from Egypt to Durban, where he said they were put on to the building of roads. These prisoners, he added, were a pretty docile mob, just like sheep; they did not want to fight. This sergeant was also, engaged at one stage on the servicing for use by the Allied forces of gear and equipment captured from the Italians in the Western Desert. The Italian rifles, he explained, were a poor type of weapon, but their trucks and mechanized equipment were first-class material.

One of the men, Private R. Ward, is the wearer of a Greek decoration which was awarded to each member of the New Zealand platoon which escorted the Greek King across Crete when the German “blitz” on-the island began. Private Ward, who in civil,life is in charge of bush operations at Orenui, has a letter signed by King George of Greece, a translation of which is as follows:—“By Royal command, the Chamberlain, has the honour to inform you that his Majesty the King of the Hellenes has been pleased to confer to you the Bronze Medal of George the First with Swords.” List of Men. The following sick and wounded New Zealand soldiers have arrived home: — OFFICERS. Macky, N. L., Lt.-Col., Auckland; Wallace, D. G., Major, Timaru; Jel'coate, H. 0., Capt., Riccarton; Ambury, C. R., Lieut., New Plymouth; Baxter, B. Y. W., Lieut.,. Timaru; Bond, R. L., Lieut., Sydney; Evenden, F. G. 8., Lieut., Greymouth; Powrie, It. L. D., Lieut., Nelson; Staunton, K. J., Lieut., New Plymouth; Gillum, A. T., 2/,Lt., Opawa; Neale, J. W„ 2/Lt. Mr. J. Neale, 1G Manley Terrace, Wellington If). ARMY NURSING SERVICE. Fitzgerald, L. 11., S/Nurse, Gisborne. OTHER RANKS. Airey, C., Dunedin; Anderson, 8., Pte., Ngaruawahia; Anderson, A., -Spr., Cromwell; Armishaw, F. IL, Pte., Dunedin; Astell, V. D., Pte. Mrs. B. Astell, Main Road, Johnsonville (w.); Atteweil, T., Pte., Waimate; Ayres, K. W., Pte., Dannevirke. Bailie J. K., Cpl„ Westport; Banks, 11. J., Pte., Hamilton; Bar-betel, E. A., L/Cpl., Linwood; Barclay, A., Dvr., Clinton; Begg, W. C., Pte., Mosgiel; Belcher, G. A., Pte., Mount Albert; Bell, W., Pte., Auckland; Bennet, T. 8., Pte., Christchurch; Bezar, G. P„ Sgt., Devonport; Blackmore, W. I’., Pte., Waimate; Blewett, L„ Gnr., New Plymouth; Blundell, W. G., Cpl., Christchurch; Boyle, ,1. F„ Pte., Milton; Brady, T. J-, Gnr., Christchurch; Braggius, S. E. J., Pte., Denniston; Brays-haw, I. W., Cpl. Mrs. S. D. Brayshaw, ‘‘Mill House, ’ Hutt Road, Petoue (w.).; Brooks, G. W. L., Pte., New Plymouth; Brown, R. V. 8., Pte., Auckland; Bruce, J. F., Dvr., Auckland; Burke, F„ Pte., New Plymouth; Burry, P. N., Pte. Mr. H. Burry, 17 Clitton Terrace, Kelburu, Wellington ■ (t); Burson, 11. It., Pte., Christchurch; Burton, F. J., L/Sgt. Mrs. It. M. Burton, 3 Dekka Street, Khandallah, Wellington (m.). Byres, 11. J., Pte., Marton. . , Carlsen, J. J„ T/Cipl., Waiuku; Carr, F. W., Pte., Mosgiel; Carter, S. 8., Pte., KerlKeri; Castleton, It. C., Pte., Birkenhead; Chamberlain, C. E., - Pte., Waikaremoana; Charlwood, P. 8.,. Dvr., Auckland ; Chiles, W. E., Pte., Timaru; Christie, H. F., Spr., Pleasant Point, South Canterbury; Christie, L. G. A., Dvr. (Mrs. E. Christie, 18 Kensington Avenue, Petone (w.); Claffey, L. F., Spr., New Plymouth; Clark, A., Spr., Taumarunui; Clark, F., Pte., Palmerston North; Cockerell, A. 8., Pte. Mrs. A. Cockerell, IPG Willis. Street, , Wellington (w.); Collins, R. W„ W.0.1, R.S.M. Mrs. H. HI M. Collins, 7 Torrens Terrace/ Wellington (wi); Cook, J. G., Spr.; Maheno.;

Cooper, A. E., Pte., Cust; Coutts, D. S., Dvr., Duuedin ; .Coveney, 8. L., Pte., Auckland; Crew, F. €., Pte., Auckland; Crichton, R. C. Spr., Dunedin; Critoph, 11. S., Pte., Auckland; Crossley, H., Dvr., Itemuera; Cumming, R. M., Pte., Mount Albert. Davidson, D. M., Cpl., Marlborough; Dawson, A. W„ Pte., Caversham; Devon, D. H., Pte., Oamaru; Dillon, W. F., Spr., Blackball; Bobby, A. A„ Gnr„ Christchurch; Dow, F. R.,'Cpl„ Grey Lynn; Dromgool.N. It. V., Pte., 'St. Heller’s Bay, Auckland; Duggan, S., Gnr., Palmerston North; Dunn, A. J. R., Pte., Granity ;■ Dunn, P., Pte., Dunedin; Dunwoodie,. J. L., Spr., Papatoetoe. ’ ' Bgerton, W. T., Gnr., Winton; Eria, H., Pte., Paki Paki; Evans, S., Spr., Tahua; Everett, F. E. M., W.0.2. Mrs. M. Everett, 51 Kelburn Parade, Wellington (m.). Field, G. G., Spr. Mrs. M. E. Field, care Mrs. L. Allan, Lincoln Avenue, Tawa Flat, Wellington (w.); Fisher, E. It., Gnr., Hamilton ; Fisher, W., Cpl., Wairoit; Fitzgerald, W., Dvr., Dunedin North; Flannery, T. W., Pte., Roxburgh; Flood, A. J., Pte., Auckland; Foss, A. L„ Pte., Talhape; Fryer, A. S., Pte., Frankton; Fuller, C. I'., Pte., Hamilton; Furber, C. P., L/Sgt., Hamilton, Garvie, W. S.. Tpr., Dargaville;: Gibson, F. L., Dvr., Christchurch; Gillan, S. J-, Pte., Dunedin; Gillespie, A. J., L/Cpl., Christchurch; Gilligan, J. A., Pte. Mrs. E. Gilligan, 268 Waterloo Hoad, Lower Hutt (m.); Glengarry, T. F., Pte., Taihape; Glue, W. A., Pte., Christchurch: Grey, L. W. Pte., New Plymouth;. Griffiths, C. L., Pte Napier; Griffith, C. 8., Pte., Nelson; Guillermo. E. A., Pte., Christchurch. Hagerty,' D. K., Dvr., New Plymouth; Hall. S. V., Gnr., McKenzie Country; Hamilton, J. H., Sgt., Hawera; Hankin,.K H., Spr., Auckland-; Hanning, 8., Pte., Clyde, Central Otago; Hanlon, W. E., Pte., Loudon; Harkiws’s, C. M, Pte., Midhurst; Harris, H. F„ T/L/Bdr. Auckland; Harvey, L., Dvr. Mrs. C. Harvey, 107 Abel Smith Street, Wellington (m.); Haydon, R. T. H., Pte., Christchurch; Hempel V. d’., Pte., Auckland; Hendy,, I. D., W.0.-, Hastings; Heron, H. J. W.0.2 Mrs. J. Heron, care Dr. Myers, 2io Willis Street, Wellington (w.); Herrlot, E. G., Pte., Winton; Hicks, N. E. E., 1 te. _Mrs. H. Hick , 44 Kauri Street, Miramar, Wellington (m.). Hockenhull, C.. Gnr., Pukekohe; Hodgson, W, Pte., Devonport; Holmes, W. J., Gnr. Mrs. S. M. Holmes, 13 Arthur Street, Wellington (w.); Hood, W. A., Sgt., Blenheim, Horne, P. D., Bdr„ Coromandel; Horwell, E. It. G., Pte., Timaru; Howland, B. J. H. Pte., Putaruru; Hughes, A. J., Dvr., Christchurch; Humphreys, A. H., Ite., Auckland; Hurley, A. C., Sgmn., Auckland, Jacka, A. J., Pte., Auckland; James, J. A. Pte.; Mrs. T. A. James, 14 Ventnor Street, Seatouu (in.); Johnson, C. E., Dvr., Leeston; Johnson, W., L/Cpl., Geraldine; Johnston, L. P., Pte., Auckland. Keiller, J. B„ Pte., Whangarei; Kenny, W. A., T/Cpl., Picton; Key, 1., Ite Mrs. M Kev, 104 Marjoribanks Street, Wellington (w.); Klnsela, A. E., A/L/Sgt., Wa • kino - Kinzett, C., Pte., Nelson; Kirby, R. A. Gnr., Hamilton; Knowles, P. E., Pte., Ki'mu- Kohere, P. W., Pte., East Cape; Kubal’a, F. T., Gnr., Gore. Langdon, Jack, Gnr., Whangarei; Larkins J.. Pte., Palmerston North; Leathern, J. C. P., Sgmn., I’okeno; Lehrke, P. Pte., Eltham; Lehrke, Peter, Pte., Eltham; Lennon, ■ R. W., Pte., Orepukl; Linton, J. R. 8., Pte., Nelson; Lowther, K., Pte., Frankton Junction; Lynch, 1., Pte., Gisborne. 'McAughtrie, E. J., Pte., Dunedin; McCutcheon, G. M., Pte., Napier; McDowell, T Pte, Dunedin; McEwen, W. C., Pte., Muriawi; McGreevy, L. J., Pte., Wanganui; McHugh, P. J., L/Sgt., Windwhistle; Mclnnes, It., Pte., Papakura; Mclvor, K., Pte.. Oamaru; McKandry, W. P., Cpl., Auckland; McKay, S. A., S/Sgt. Mrs. D. McKay, 01 Ghuznee St., Wellington (w.); Mackegney, K. J., L/Cpl., Nelson; McKenzie, R. G., Pte. Mr. K. McKenzie, 9 Donald McLean Street, Wellington (r.); McKenzie, 11. C., Spr., Auckland; Mackintosh, A. U., Pte., Christchurch; McLaren, 11., Sgt., Dunedin; McCleary, J. G. A., Pte.. Christchurch; McNaughton, A. J., Dvr. Dunedin; '.Manley, 11., Pte. Mrs. I. Richmond, 135 Grafton Road, Wellington (sister); Mano, Hii, Pte., Pawarenga; Milne, C., Pte., Christchurch; Manson, B. S„ L/Cpl., Napier; Mare, Piripi, Pte.. Ahipara; Marshall, A. W., Pte., Oamaru; Martin, C., Gnr., Auckland; Martin, F. J., Pte., Auckland; Martin, T. E„ Gnr., Auckland; Matheson, J. M. W., Dvr., Havelock North; Mauheni, Potene, Pte., Ilangitukla; Mead. S. A., Dvr., Wanganui; Melville, A. A., Sgt., Auckland; Mercer. It. C., Gnr., Canterbury; Merry, E. It., Pte., Hastings; Millar, J. S., Pte. Mrs. M. Millar, 15 Hawker 'Street, Wellington (w.); Millar, W. G., Pte., Pukekohe; Miller, R. 8., Pte., Nelson; Morris, N. J., Pte., Opua; Munro, I. 8., L/Sgt., North Head; Murch, I. L., Cpl., New Plymouth; Murtagh, A., L/Cpl., Hamilton.

Nagel, E. F., Pte., Wanganui; Needham, F„ Bandman, Masterton; Neill, G. E. J., Pte. Mrs. E. Neill, 197 Marine Parade, Seatoun, Wellington (w.); Nelson, H. It., Gnr., Invercargill; Neville, F. C., Gnr., Te Awamutu; Nixon, M. A., Gnr., Auckland; Noble, E. L., Pte., Ashburton; Nolan, C. T., Spr. Mrs. M. Nolan, 23 Eden Street, Wellington (in.). Ollerenshaw, T. A., Spr., Auckland; O'Neill, .1. 11.,I 1 ., Pte., Otago; Orr, A., Pte. Mrs. I. L. Orr, East Street, Johnsonville (w.); O’Toole, A. M., T/S/Sgt., Otautau; Overton, H. F.. Dvr,, Dunedin. Palmer, E.,.Pte., Frankton; Paulger, F ( .

C., Pte., Raetihi; Palmer, H. J. A., Spr., Dunedin-'Parker, R. W., Sgm.. Mrs. K. N. Parker, GO 'Rotherham Terrace, Miramar (w.); Parnell, E. R., Pte. Mrs. A. S. Parnell, c/o. Mrs. Montgomery, » Kilmore Avenue, Wellington (w.); Peach, James, Spr., Sefton; Penney, D. E., L/Bdr., Auckland; Pickering, G. E„ Dvr., Christchurch; Plummer, F. E. J., Pte. Mr. E. A. Plummer, Logan Street, Upper Hutt (f.); Pollock, J., Dvr., Oamaru; Pollock, S. 8., Gnr., Auckland; Porteous, A. 0., Cpl., Auckland; Powlek,-Frank T., Spr., Westport; Pratt, D. H., Spr., Christchurch; Prestidge, A.■ W.,■ Pte., Avondale; Prestidge, D. J., T/L/Cpl., Hawera; Pumpa, R. W. A., Spr., Balfour; Purser, A. C., Pte. Mr. C. Purser, c/o. Crawley, Ridley, and Co., Wellington (fl).' Quartermain, D. L., Tpr., Christchurch; Quinn, John, Pte., Hakataramea. 'Rands, A. G., Pte., Avondale; Rangihika, H„ Pte., Whakatane; Rees, W. It., Pte., Christchurch; Reeves, J. S., Pte., Talhape; Heid, J, S. Pte., Ohakune Junc.tion; Ridgeway, H. F., Pte., Hamilton; Ritchie, W. J., Pte., Masterton; Rogers, W. S., Pte., Taihape; Roper, G. A., Spr., New Plymouth; Ross, D. J., Pte., Mataura; Rowe, R. G., Pte. Mr. J. Rowe, 60 Pipitea Street, Wellington (f.); Ryan, P. J., Pte., Mercer. Sandilands, 11. E., Pte., Feildiug; Sawers, W. J., Spr., Auckland; Scoles, T. J., Pte., Auckland; Scrimgeour, F. L., Tpr., Napier; Scrimshaw, K., Pte. Mr. T. Scrimshaw, 15 Campbell Terrace, Petone (brother); 'Searle, G., Cpl., Christchurch; S'haw, A., Spr., Auckland; Sheridan, C. W. 8., Gnr., Durban, South Africa;' Shirley, S. N., Pte., Masterton; Short, W., Pte., Muugatapua; Shucksmith, J. E., Pte., Dargaville; SkiltOn, K. 8., Dvr., Wanganui; Sloan, C., Pte. Mrs. S. B.'Sloan, 15 Potomaru Street, Lower Hutt (w.); Smedley, F. C., Pte., Whangarei; Srnylie, A., Pte, Mrs. J. E. Srnylie, 8 Cuba Street, Petone (w.); Snell, J. A., Dvr., Opotiki; Somervell, L. Ml, Pte., Onehunga; Stallard, E. 11., Sgin., Nelson; Stewart, L. It., Dvr., Takapuna; Strathdee, W., Cpl., Christchurch; Suckling, G. A. P., Cpl., Christchurch; Suhr, G. G., Pte., New Plymouth ; Sykes, H. L., Pte., Napier. Tantrum, M. E., Spr., Palmerston North; Templeton, G. P., S/Sgt., Riversdale; Teunani, E. F., Pte. Mrs. L. C. Tennant, 4 Koromiko Road, Wellington (m.); Thomas, A. R., A/Cpl., Papatoetoe; Thomas, H,, Gnr., Hikurangi; Thomas, R. D., Gnr., Auckland; Thomson, \V„ Spr., Wiri Railway Station; Thurston, G. D. H., Cpl., Wanganui; Teller, R., Pte., South Island; Timmins, H. A., Bdr., Brisbane; Towner, 11. G, A., Pte., Woolston; Towsey, A. C., Sgt., Canada; Treadgold, P. H., Pte. Mrs. A. Treadgold, 19 Queen Street, Wellington (w.)_ Vosper, J., Gnr., Runciman.

Wade, J. K., L/Cpl., Onehunga; Walker, J. G., Pte., Greymouth; Walker, S. G., Pte., Eltham; Walsh, J. IL, Tpr., Te Arolia; Ward, R„ Pte., Victoria; Wastney, E. It., L/Cpl., Nelson; Watson, 11., Dvr., Pahiatua; Watt, L. J. 11., Pte., Yarraville, Victoria, Australia; Webb, R. T., Pte., Dunedin; Weir, P. 11., Pte., Gisborne; White, I). C., Pte., North Otago; White, E. N., Pte. Mr. F. J. White, 106 Campbell Street, Karori (f.) ; Whitehead, B. M., T/Cpl., Kaiapoi: Whiteside, R. 11. L., Gnr., Dunedin; Wilkie. W. J., L/Sgt., Gisborne; Williams. F. J., Pte.. Woolston; Williams, J. W. T.. Pte., Auckland; Winders, S. I’., Gnr.. Invercargill; Wood, F., Tpr., North Canterbury; Wright, J. C., A/L/Cpl., Waimate; Wright, S. A., Pte., Mangere; Wright, W. Pte., Hoklanga; Wyeth, A. J., Cpi. Mrs. E. A. Wyeth, 39 Tarikaka Street, Ngaio (w.). Yardley, R. W„ Pte., Linwood: Yeatman, M., Pte., Linwood.