FIRST ANNIVERSARY

Grey River Argus, 6 February 1941, Page 9

FIRST ANNIVERSARY

N.Z. SOLDIERS IN EGYPT. IN.Z.E.F. Official News Service.] EGYPT, January 16. Thoughts of home and memories of a' year that has known disappointments and compensations alike were kindled by song and speech a few nights ago in a smoke-filled marquee somewhere in the Western Desert. Scene and sentiment were typical of the way in which soldiers of the N.Z.E.F. celebrated the first anniversary of their departure from the Dominion. Some of the units in the field marked the occasion by holding special dinners or smoke concerts that lasted far into the night, and at gatherings such as these the year was lived all over again. In one mess tent, to which the men invited their officers, the atmosphere of an estaminet of the last' war was recaptured. The night rang with song and laughter, as from a little improvised stage soldier-entertainers made their contributions to the evening’s fun and their audience joined in lusty choruses.

Twenty-five years seemed to have wrought few changes in the spirit of the New Zealand soldier. The songs these men sang were, the rollicking and witty commentaries on life that their fathers knew, however much the notes and the words may have been reshuffled in the passing ol time. The blue haze of tobacco smoke, the dim light of kerosene lamps, the chink of glasses and the

hubbub of talk had surely not changed at all. Speeches which were not very eloquent, but gaps were filled by the ;

thoughts of those who sat and listened in silence, told of the place that “home” held in the hearts of all of them.