FREYBERG GREETED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20136, 4 January 1940, Page 6

FREYBERG GREETED

TUMULTUOUS WELCOME EX-SOLDIERS’ TRIBUTE IMPRESSED BY TROOPS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. With enthusiasm and obvious emotion, Wellington returned soldiers accorded Major-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C., commander of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, a tumultuous welcome at the meeting in the Town Hall concert chamber last evening. They cheered him as he rose to speak and sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Afterward he shook hands with men who had served in the divisions with which he had been associated in the last wax'. Lieut.-Colonel A. Cowles, president of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association, expressed the pleasure felt by ex-soldiers that Major-General Freybei'g had been appointed to com-, mand the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He would be an inspiration to the younger men, he said.

The Hon. W. Perry, president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, said he was glad to see such a big crowd. He knew they would wish Major-General Freyberg the greatest possible success.

“As I said yesterday, if I do' not appear moved by this reception, it belies the feelings that are inside me,” said Major-General Freyberg. “Since arriving in New Zealand, what

with the kindness shown to me and my work, I have deserted all my old friends, but you must remember if I have not been able to come and see you it is not because I did not want to." Referring to his inspections of the troops in camp at Burnham, Trentham, Ngaruawahia and Papakura, Major-General Freyberg said: “I think, from my experience, that my eye is pretty good, and I can tell you I have been greatly impressed by the stamp of man, by his demeanour on parade, and by his toughness, and I am perfectly certain that it will not be for want of trying or want of grit if they do not live up to the great traditions set them.

"We feel the responsibility and I know it and I am glad of it, because it sets us a standard that we must live up to. If we do that, it will reflect the greatest credit on the expeditionary force and on our country.”