THIRD ECHELON MEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 27, 31 July 1940, Page 9

THIRD ECHELON MEN

APPROXIMATELY A FORTNIGHT

TRAVEL FACILITIES

I Several thousand officers and other ranks of the Third Echelon of the Second N.Z.E.F. will be on the move throughout the Dominion tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday, when they will depart from the mobilisation camps to commence approximately a fortnight's leave. All Third Echelon units, including the specially-raised Railway, Forestry, and Army Troops Engineer companies, are included in the leave orders. All ranks will return to camp during the three-day period August 12, 13, and 14.

As with previous echelons, free return transport will be provided from camp to each man's home or place of enlistment. Once again a large number of special trains and other travel facilities have been arranged to cope with the big task of distributing the large number of soldiers over the country. In this the Army authorities have again had the co-operation of the Railway Department and the Union Steam Ship Company.

Before proceeding on leave troops will receive pay for the fortnight. The £3 bonus given to the First and Second Echelons will also be paid excepting to those men who have already received it at the beginning of a former leave period. Men so placed .will be given a sustenance payment at the rate of 2s 6d a day.

At Trentham Mobilisation Camp today all units are busy making preparations to begin the holiday from training. Equipment is being cleaned and prepared for storage during the fortnight, rail and steamer tickets are being issued, and the big task of paying the men has commenced.