HOME AGAIN

Evening Star, Issue 23525, 14 March 1940, Page 17

HOME AGAIN

TROOPS ON FINAL LEAVE BURNHAM CONTINGENT ARRIVES EFFECTS CF TRAINING APPARENT Just for a lew minutes yesterday afternoon the Dunedin railway station seethed as troops on final leave from Burnham camp disembarked, with more rapidity than military precision, from the special train winch brought them back to their home town. Hasty greetings were made with loved ones, family parties linked together, moved off, disappeared—all just like that. But it was a great moment for all; the beginning of 14 days’ reunion before the curtain lifts on another and more important phase of life for the men in khaki. Tho train was about 30 minutes late in arriving, but no one seemed particularly concerned about that. The men were ready and waiting for the stop at Dunedin; more than that-indeed, for the train bad not ceased its motion before many of the troops were leaping on to the platform, quite uncaring whether their rucksacks fell or did not fall. There came the brief, happy reunion—there was no combined demonstration of welcome.—and the quick departure to waiting taxis. In all 280 men left Burnham camp by this train, their destinations being points between Studhohne Junction and Dunedin. By the time this terminus was reached at least half the men had rejoined their families and friends at northern points. Earlier, about 4 o’clock, there had passed through Dunedin another troop train, this comprising the Southland contingent. There were more of the Sonthlanders*than there were Dunedin lads on the second train, and they made their presence felt in the short stay the train made here. They literally 11 whooped it up ” on the station, and scores made a hasty exit, speeding up Stuart street as far as a certain institution where a few moments were spent—and then back to the train, refreshed. This morning lads in khaki moved about the city freely. They looked very different from the untrained young men who departed for the camp a month and more ago. They looked now like soldiers, men ready and willing to fight in the cause of, democracy and the great freedom which is almost exclusive these days to the British Empire. They are now, as was indicated in the ‘Star’ last night, no longer subject to the discipline _of the New Zealand Army, but to King’s Regulations, a much more stringent • form. But under whatever regulations they may come'there is no doubt that they will live up to the traditions so gloriously set by the men who went away in 1914 who were the founders of that undying word “ Anzacs.” One Adolf, in the midst of his security of Storm Troops, armoured cars, doubles, and pullet-proof clothing, may be disposed to refer to these boys as “ poor country lads,” but they are not the sort of' country lads most people would feel inclined to get up against in any sort of argument. Adolf will probably find before so very long that these self-same boys can “ pack a wallop ” that will disturb very seriously the false serenity obtained through being encircled by guns, armour, and murderers. '' MEN FROM NORTHERN CAMPS. Further drafts of Dunedin men, those who have been in camp in the North Island, will reach tho city tonight and to-morrow night. To-night’s draft will be on leave from Trentham, and will arrive on the express reaching here at 4.18. To-morrow’s draft will comprise those who have been in Papakura and Ngaruawahia, and they will arrive at the same time as to-day’s draft.