SOLDIERS AT SEA

Evening Star, Issue 23499, 13 February 1940, Page 4

SOLDIERS AT SEA

MANY SHIPBOARD AMENITIES RECREATIONAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES REPORT OF Y.M.G.A. OFFICER [Pes United Press Association.] _ WELLINGTON, February 13. Besides giving an idea of the social and recreational activities on board the troopship in which he sailed from New Zealand, Mr J. H. Ledger wood, a Y.M.C.A. representative, incorporated in reports which have been received from him advice that will be valuable to the National Patriotic Fund Board in the provision of future comforts for New Zealand! troops. Mr Ledgerwood is one of the three Y.M.C.A. officers who accompanied the first echelon. He mentioned some seasickness, but only once was there reference in bis reports to rough weather. Then he described it as extremely rough weather, which meant the postponement of a sports meeting. The gifts officer on the ship was Lieutenant J. H. Danderson, who was appointed by the Patriotic Funds Board to look after the comforts placed aboard by the Patriotic Fund Board. Similar stocks of comforts-also went with the other transports, on each of which there was a gift officer. Mr Ledgerwood and Lieutenant Danderson lost no time in having a conference to deal with the promotion of the comfort and! happiness of the soldiers, and drew up proposals which were approved by the 0.0. troops, Lieutenant-colonel F, S. Varnham, A Recreation Committee was formed, comprising representatives from each unit aboard, and a Gifts Committee was called together. Arrangements were also made for the establishment of Y.M.C.A. headquarters, extra reading and writing rooms, and accommodation for large evening entertainments was arranged and supervised by Mr Ledgerwood. The library was established in the Y.M.C.A. headquarters, and reading, writing, and musical facilities provided. the first organised community sing took place in the large .messroom, and a great crowd turned! out. In the morning physical training was inaugurated under Mr Ledgerwood, and a Y.M.C.A. Entertainment Committee was formed, comprising one n.c.o. from each unit, to meet daily and evaluate and! promote all the social life of the ships.

Mr Ledgerwood reported having had to make visits to the ship’s hospital, and taking comforts to many seasick troopers.

On the first Sunday at sea the song service was attended by nearly 700 men.

As the result of a meeting the following entertainment activities were decided upon:—A 500 evening, separate concerts from each unit, community sings, an impromptu speech night, a dramatic sketch night, a physical perfection parade, a mock court, a night, a gong-’em-out amateur night, vespers, and song services. MUSIC POPULAR. Mr Ledgerwood, in his first report, also mentioned that an orchestra was being formed and a male voice choir and mouth organ band, Referring to the organised sing that had been held, he stated it was an inspiration, about 700 voices taking, part, and all good ones. He had taught the troops ‘ Bless This House,’ and all had agreed to its nightly use ns the closing vesper. He also inaugurated a daily news sheet. The first 600 tournament turned out splendidly, 52 tables being in use. In his second report he said the morning physical recreation class had grown in numbers, and the enthusiasm of the 60 officers aboard was marked. Forty-five per cent, attended, and in all about 300 took part. He made a daily round of the entire parade decks and advised on new methods of recreation. At the first male choir practice there were 48 voices. The first travel talk was well attended, add much appreciated.

He mentioned that there was a keen demand for library books. The sports meeting started at 2 p.m. and ended at 5. There lyere five weights in the boxing, and five in the wrestling. Other events included the mile relay, deck tennis (singles and doubles), deck quoits (singles and doubles), tug-of-war, drill competition, and a medicine ball relay, besides pictures, entertainments, and community sings.

Fifty-two tables had taken part in the progressive euchre tournament, and 10 tables _ in the bridge tourney. . 1 11 addition to making some suggestions to the Y.M.C.A. authorities regarding future equipment, and also to tho Patriotic Fund Board for future guidance in the provision of other comforts, Sir Ledgerwood mentioned that 2,000 tins of cigarettes were worth more than any similar number of other articles. Plenty of limejuice cofdial would be a great asset and a real comfort. He also made suggestions regarding the type of films required for entertainment, _ and emphasised that themen appreciated good music, good drama, and genuine and clever humour.

Although his reports relate only to the position on his own troopship they give an insight into the shipboard life of some of New Zealand’s soldiers, and show how much, their lot is brightened by the provision of little extra comforts, for the supply of which all New Zealanders are being asked to subscribe.

DIED AT SEA NEW ZEALAND BOMBARDIER SUEZ, February 12. (Received February 13, at noon.) A New Zealander, Bombardier Kerr Taylor, died’ on the voyage from New Zealand, and was buried at sea with military honours. All the ships flew flags at half-mast. An Australian transport, as a token of sympathy, drew alongside the New Zealand transport in which Taylor had made the voyage.