GREEK KING’S REWARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 177, 28 June 1941, Page 7

GREEK KING’S REWARD.

NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS. BODYGUARD IN CRETE. (From the N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent.) CAIRO. June 26. There was an impressive interlude in tlie reorganisation ot the N.Z.E.F. when King George of Greece, accompanied by three Princes and three Princesses and a retinue, visited a New Zealand camp. The main function was the decoration of 2nd Lieutenant W. M. Ryan and 24 member* of his platoon wiio acted as a bodyguard for the Greek Royal party during the evacuation of Crete. King George was accompanied by the Crown Prince Paul, Prince George. Prince Peter, and the Princesses Frcdrica, Catherine, and Marie. The military party included Major-General Freybcrg, Brigadier Puttick, Lieut.Colonel Dittmer (commanding the Maori Battalion), and Colonel Bluni, the English officer in charge of the pa'rty who escorted the-. Greek King from Crete.

After decorating Lieutenant Ryan and his platoon, the Royal party inspected the Maori Battalion, who entertained with songs and hakas. Lieutenant Ryan was awarded the Greek decoration of the Cross of St. George 1. with Swords, and the other ranks were awarded the Medal ot George 1. with Swords. Lieutenant Ryan, an Auckland civil engineer, educated at a technical college, was commissioned since his arrival in the Middle East.

The ceremony was simple but impressive, and the first of the kind in tiro N.Z.E.F., Middle. East. The King first visited the battalion concerned. On the arrival of the King, escorted by a motor-cycle formation of the divisional provost company, the Royal Salute was given, the Greek National Anthem being played by the N.Z.EF. Band. After an inspection the King pinned the medal on each recipient, and then briefly addressed the troops. The King said he was proud to see together again the platoon which had accompanied him in Crete. He expressed the hope that the future experience of the soldiers present would ue successful. Before the march-past rousjng cheers were given for King George.MAORI DEMONSTRATION.

The silence of a typical Egyptian summer evening was wieldly disturbed to-day, when Jxing George or Greece and Uie Royal party wore welcomed to a desert camp by the lusty roars of -Maori hakas. ihe Greek Royal party was deeply moved by the -Maori demonstration, and displayed prulound interest in the odd spectacle ot natives front the Antipodes hurling bellicose chants across tlie sands ot one of the most historical parts ot the land of the pyramids. The Royal Salute was given as the party arrived, the Maoris drilling with their customary precision under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Dittmer.

After an inspection the Maoris grounded arms, removed tfierr headdress, and selected parties advanced in front of the battalion. The Maoris performed with a vigour in no way affected by the heat of Egypt. Alter singing ‘‘Haere Ra” the whole battalion joined in singing the Maori Battalion song conducted by the composer. The Maoris enjoyed the spectacle of the Greek Princesses moving close up to the conductor with a movie camera and shooting him as he conducted the singing. The King was given rousing cheers before his departure.