RETURNED SERVICEMEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 October 1945, Page 4

RETURNED SERVICEMEN

WEST COAST PERSONNEL The following West Coast members of the R.N.Z.A.F., who arrived at Lyttelton this morning in the “Andes” are expected to return to the district by the express from Christchurch this afternoon: — ~..F/Lt. G. W. L. Fairhall, Greymouth. F/Lf. E. Johnstone, Hokitika. F/Lt. J. McL. Pearsori, Greymouth. F/O. J. L. Flemirig, Greymouth. F/O R. E. Kennedy, D.F.C., Runanga. F/O. C. J. Hector, Runanga. F/O. I Morgan, Westport. F/O. R. J. Wisker, D.F.C., Westport. „ W/O. C. G. Hamilton, Ross. W/O. L. M. Keen, Hokitika. F/Sgt. M. M. Benjamin, Westport. . F/Sgt. J. P. J. Carroll, Hokitika. F/Sgt. F. A. Clausen, Hokitika. F/Sgt. H. W. Clifiprd, Greymouth. F/Sgt. S. T. Harrison, Hokitika. -.F/Sgt. D. B. Lindsay, Blackball. F/Sgt. M. Newton, Greymouth. F/Sgt. L. F. Fox, Westport. F/Sgt. S. Hunter, Greymouth. . F/Sgt. M. Marshall, Westport. . Sgt. H. T. Hay-MacKenzie, Westport. W/O. D. J. Mcßride, Wataroa. NAVAL MEN.

T/Lt. Brian McClelland, Greymouth. / ~, . 8.A.8. (Radar) Clarence Atkinson, Hokitika. Ord. Sgmn. David Bradley, Greymouth. , „ Sgmn. John Brian McCarthy. Greymouth. „ _ , . P.O. Radio Meeh. Douglas Tucker. Greymouth. . Stoker Russell A. Webber, Kokin.

“WAHINE” DRAFT.

The following West Coast airmen returned to New Zealand in the “Wahine” from the Pacific: — Cpl. K. H. Benjamin, Westport. L.A.C. J. Dunn, Blaketown. Sgt. T. W. Lee,'Hokitika. L.A.C. J. H. Gunn, Tetaho L.A.C. J. P. Ward, Greymouth. Sgt. C. E. Woolhouse, Hokitika. A.C.I A. R. Reid, Wallsend L.A.C. W. T. Waugh, Greymouth.

ANDES MEN’S REGRET CHRISTCHURCH, October 23. “Welcome home, except on Labour > Day, we are going to the races.” These words painted on a canvas • sign which hung over the side of the, troopship “Andes,” as she berthed at Lyttelton this morning, expressed a grievance felt by the returning servicemen aboard the vessel. When the Andes left Melbourne at 7 a.m. last Thursday, the men expected to reach Lyttelton on Sunday morning. On Friday, however, they were told that there would be no labour available to work the ship at Lyttelton on Sunday or Monday, and she would, therefore, not berth before this morning. , . j “We broke the Mauretania’s record from Southampton to Melbourne, doing the trip in 23 days and six hours, said one soldier returning to New Zealand after four years m German prison camps. “We had a day s leave in Melbourne last Wednesday, and i left there about 7 a.m. on Thursday, jWe waddled across the Tasman like ! a dirty old duck.” When it was announced that the Andes would not berth until to-day, he added, everyone became very “dry.” There was •muoh dissatisfaction at what the men

considered an. unnecessary delay. As the ship drew alongside, the personnel voiced their disapproval. Shouts of “Did you enjoy your holiday yesterday? How was,. Labour Day?” “Are you going to work today?” were addressed to those on the wharf. Showers of pennies with occasional shillings and. half-crowns, were apparently an incentive to those ashore to do something to hasten the berthing There were uncomplimentary references to the “wharfies,” although there were none on the jetty. % In spite of their gibes, however, the servicemen were in good spirits, ana there did not seem to be any real rancour behind their remarks. An egg sailed down with one shower of coms before the ship berthed, but failed to register a hit. Shortly after the ship berthed, the official party which had gone out to her by launch, went down the gangway. More eggs fell about this party which included the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) and the Minister of Supply (Mr. Sullivan). Inquiries' made at the Harbour Board and Navy Offices, the Railways

Department and Southern Military District Headquarters failed to conifirm that the Andes time of arrival had been postponed because of the Labour Day holiday. All the officials interviewed said to-day had been fixed as the date of arrival for some time. “The date of arrival was fixed for October 23 at Lyttelton,” said the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) when complaints made by the personnel aboard the Andes regarding the slow trip from Melbourne were referred to him. “The ship was brought, to Lyttelton instead of Wellington, especially to enable the South Island men to get to their homes quickly. She will berth at Wellington to-morrow. While it is regretted that it has taken a little longer to come across the Tasman, this date was fixed some time ago and transport arrangements made for it. It would have taken a lot of trouble to alter the date, and make the new transport arrangements.”