RETURNED HOME

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 November 1944, Page 4

RETURNED HOME

N.Z. WOUNDED WELCOMED

WELLINGTON, November 9. . Bearing up cheerily under hard knocks sustained in battle, the recently returned draft of wounded from the New Zealand Division in the Middle East included men who had been right through to the hard fighting at Florence and Rimini in Northern Italy. Relations and friends received them enthusiastically as they came ashore from the hospital ship, and they were given an official reception in the clearing station.

The men admitted that the Germans were Still a tough enemy. As they were pressed back through Italy the Germans had the advantage of knowing the country and the places where they could put up resistance most effectively. Instances of this were the hard fighting at Florence and Rimini. News since they left the battle zone indicated that the weather was still proving a handicap. However, there was a feeling of confidence that enemy resistance would be smashed there, as it had been in numerous stands made earlier in the Middle East campaign. The returning men included some who had experience as prisoners of war, and had escaped. One man who said good-bye to his family only seven months ago had been twice wounded during his brief period on active service. Navy personnel, nurses, and Waacs were among those who returned. The Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser), being slightly indisposed, was’ unable to attend the official reception, and Mr. Nash extended a welcome to the draft on his behalf. Mr. Nash advised the men to be sure to make contact with rehabilitation officials. Mr. Nash said there were arrangements for every man who came back to be given the care he needed. The Government and the country were, very thankful for what the men had done, and hoped that they would soon recover from their disabilities and be able to settle down again to normal s

life. The men were also welcomed by the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones), the Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr. Skinner), Mr. Hamilton, Colonel Bennett, formerly of the Maori Battalion, and Cr. Luckie, deputising for the Mayor of Wellington. The Returned Services’ Association representative, Mr. W. E. Leadley, told the men that in New Zealand to-day they had the best pension scale in the British Empire, and the best rehabilitation scheme among the United Nations.,