MR JONES IN EGYPT

Grey River Argus, 12 May 1943, Page 6

MR JONES IN EGYPT

VISIT TO RUWEISAT RIDGE. CAIRO, May 10. With the temperature touching 106 in the shade, Mr. Jones saw the famous Ruweisat Ridge, the scene ot last year’s battle for Egypt. Mr Jones saw the sector where the New Zealanders held the Alamein line. It is a forlorn battlefield. Slit trenches and wrecked equipment are still lying there. On the battlefield the Minister met men of the New Zealand Graves Registration Unit, and was impressed with the quiet efficiency with which they carried out their noble task. He told them how much he and the people' of New Zealand appreciated the work of caring for the fallen, and appropriately burying them in planned military cemeteries in the desert. Mr. Jones passed trenches, burnt-out tanks and gunpits, and gained a first-hand impression of the scorched battlefield. Last night, the Minister met Keith Elliot, V.C., in the New Zealand Forces Club, and passed on congratulatins on behalf of the Government and people. The Minister arranged an appointment with Elliot this morning, but as Mr. Jones went through the Club, Elliot, in a straightforward way, approached the Minister’ and said: “Good evening, Sir. Your son said you wanted to see me. lam Elliot.” The Minister had a pleasant informal conversation with the unassuming hero.