BACK FROM OVERSEAS

Grey River Argus, 23 April 1945, Page 4

BACK FROM OVERSEAS

FURTHER DRAFT OF LONG SERVICE MEN WELLINGTON, April 21. The most recent draft of longservice men of the 2nd New Zealand Division who returned to their homeland to-day were remarkably quiet aboard ship before the landing. This was one of the impressions of the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), who, with other Ministers, welcomed them before disembarkation. In an interview, Mr Jones said he was greatly struck with the absence of any suggestion of riotous joy, and he was interested to discover the reason. "They were all in good heart,” he said, “and New Zealand’s weather for the welcome was beautiful. They were certainly not depressed, but I think overwhelming feeling was of thankfulness that after long overseas service they were back in what they all said was the best little country in the world. Most of them have been away four years or more, and they included the bulk of the first furlough men who returned after leave in New Zealand. Many carried rows of decorations and it was a -very representative draft. “I noticed among them New Zealanders wearing the paratroopers’ badge. These men had done good work in the Balkans and Yugoslavia. There were Air Force men, some naval men, nurses and members of the W.A.A.C. A small number had been prisoners of war who had come out through Switzerland and Odessa, and a lew still showed signs of the experiences undergone while in enemy hands. I was glad to see a fairly large number of Maoris, and the welcoming party included someone who could greet them in their own language. A large number of these veterans had previously seen service in Fiji before going to the Middle East. , , “I would like to add a word about the men we are sending to replace these veterans,” concluded,,Mr Jones. "We have received recent messages from General Freyberg stating that he is Jiighly satisfied with the replacement drafts, which were equal in his opinion to the others who had come earlier, and would worthily uphold the high reputation which the Division has won overseas. WEST COASTERS IN DRAFT WELLINGTON, April 21. West Coast men in a draft which has returned to New Zealand from the Mediterranean war theatre include: — Private C. J. Furness, Greymouth. Driver A. E. Ramsay, Reefton. Gunner E. Dellow, Murchison. Trooper A. A. Fleming, Murchison. Driver G. R. Macadam, Murchison. There are no West .Coasters in a small R.N.Z.A.F. draft which has returned from the United Kingdom. 4600 MEN RELEASED FOR MILITARY SERVICE WELLINGTON. April 21. The review of cases of category A men being made available for New Zealand lias resulted in 4602 men beinfi made available for mobilisation before April 30 for overseas service. The review begun in January by sixteen appeal boards, was undertaken chiefly to find replacement for men with more than three years’ service overseas. A large number of appeals has still to be dealt with.