N.Z. SERVICEMEN

Grey River Argus, 5 June 1942, Page 1

N.Z. SERVICEMEN

DOINGS OVERSEAS. CLUB IN ICELAND. (Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) (Rec. 7.15). LONDON, June 2. Captain A. W- L. Lawn (Stratford), Durham Light Infantry, is one of the founders of the Southern Cross Club in Iceland, comprising New Zealanders, Australians, South Africans and one Argentinian. Other New Zealanders are Lieutenant Commander A. Watchlin, 0.8. E. (Auckland), Captain C. Harcourt (Wellington), Royal Artillery; Wing Commander J. G. Skeet (New Plymouth); Flying Officer A. Tye (Dunedin), D. Mann (Christchurch), and Weblin (Wellington), and Sister Freda Willcox (Auckland). Captain Lawn joined up with the Durham Light Infantr v after the outbreak, served in France, and left from Dunkirk after six hours, during which beaches were shelled, but not bombed. He proceeded to Iceland in October, 1940, his memories of whichinclude intense winter cold, fierce storms, crouds of dust, and waking up to find his breath formed hoar frost on the blankets. He said: “The boys call Iceland the ‘Clinker Heap.’ We lived in Nissen huts, which are covered with packed ice throughout, the winter, resembling igloos. I was lucky in being Adjutant .of a leave party, and made twelve trips to Britain. - They were exciting, for we usually had the unwanted company of submarines. Once we sank two during lunch time. We are very proud of our Club, would meet for dinner fortnightly, sometimes had toheroa soup, Stewart Island oysters, and always .observed the ritual toast of ‘Absent Friends.’” He added: “Lieut.-Com. Watchlin is doing a magnificent job of work as a salvage officer. He saved the Government millions of pounds. Wing Commander Skeet is head of the R.A.F. hospital in which Sister Willcox works. She is a grand type. Flying Officer Tye holds the record for the fastest flight between Britain and Iceland for his type of aircraft.” Captain Lawn, who is on leave in London, has transferred to the N.Z.E.F. j Air Marshal A. T. Harris, Com-mander-in-Chief of the Bomber Command, complimented Wing Commander Trevor Freeman, D. 5.0., D.F.C., of Dunedin, Pilot Officer Ali Jan George, D.F.M., of Hawera. also an English pilot, for the excellent photographs they secured when they bombed the Heinkel .works at Warnemunde< Freeman has completed his second tour of operations and is now posted to a group as training instructor. George has completed 33 operations and is now post- ■ ed as flying instructor. i Before he ended operations, George was accompanied by. Group Captain Andrew McKee, D.F.C., A.F.C., of Canterbury, during a recent raid on Hamburg, McKee acting ag second pilot. ’