DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 29 January 1946, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS

ARRIVAL OF, TROOPSHIP. WELLINGTON, January 28. The troopship, Durban Castle, sailed into Wellington harbour, bringing home 1050 New Zealanders of the Arm’,, Navy and Air Force from service in the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Middle East. Forty-one wives of New Zealand servicemen, with nine children, were among the civilians. The wives were chiefly English girls. Thgy were delighted with their firstprospect of their new home. The 27,388-ton Durban Castle moved up the harbour in brilliant sunshine, with an escort of yachts and small craft. She berthed at Aotea quay soon after 3 pan. The passengers included Mrs Maria Clarich and her two daughters, and Mrs Manda Bilich and her two daughters and one small son. They are Yugoslavs whose homes were razed by Germans and Italians, and who have come to live in New Zealand after spending two years under British care in Egypt. Also on board were 13 British servicemen who first came to New Zealand last year as released prisoners of war from the Far East in the hospital ship Tjitjalenka. They had all been granted demobilisation in New Zealand, and will settle here, nine of them having already planned to marry New Zealand girls. News of their permit to return to New Zealand was received when they were in Australia on their return home to the United Kingdom. The Durban Castle will remain in Wellington about a week to take her first cargo since she entered war service. She played a prominent part as an assault transport in the landings on North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, and France.