Work of Y.M.C.A. in Britain

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 229, 27 September 1940, Page 2

Work of Y.M.C.A. in Britain

APPRECIATED BY N.Z. SOLDIERS [From the Official War Correspondent attached to the New Zealand Forces in Great Britain.] ALDERSHOT, Aug. 19. Since tho arrival of Mr. H. W. Shove, Overseas Commissioner of the New Zealand Y.M.C.A., tho Association’s war services in tho United Kingdom have been further extended. Mr. Shove’s headquarters are in London, at the New the Y'.M.C.A. He may have had nothing Cross Road, but he is a frequent visitor to the several camps where the three field secretaries, relieved now of tho responsibility for attending also to the London end of their organisation, are free to develop its day-to-day helpfulness to the troops. A canteen service is being established in the camps this week, from which men may buy a mug of tea and a cake for 2d, or tea alone for a penny. The New Zealand soldier is very loyal to tho Y.M.GS.A. He may have had nothing to do with it in civil life; but in camp at home, and more especially overseas, he has grown to appreciate what it offers him—a place to read and write, books, magazines, pen and ink, paper and envelopes; even the injunction to “write home first”; all a man need supply are the inclination and the energy. Games, too, and the wireless, and a lighted tent where fellows may go for a game of cards, or a yarn, or a quiet argument —quiet out of consideration for the other fellows who are reading or writing. Then on long Toute marches or manoeuvres there are the tea-vans, always sure of a cheer as they come round the corner and a rush as soon as the service window is open. Tea is dispensed free, and the vans each carry enough for a whole battalion without refilling. Cigarettes, tobacco and chocolate are sold.

The big tents were barely open before men who dropped in of an evening were inquiring about the chances of a cup of tea. They did not expect it for nothing, but they wanted it to round off the visit. A difficulty was that the N.A.A.F.L—Navy, Army, and Air Force Institute—enjoys a monopoly of canteen services in British camps, and was disinclined to waive its rights to permit the New Zealand Y.M.C.A. to give away cups of tea, let alone soli them. However, through the good offices of the Dominion Army authorities that point of friction has been removed, and henceforth those men who wish to take their tea at the Y.M.C.A. tent may do so. “Talkies” are being screened in one of the Y.M. tents to-night for the first time, and will be a weekly attraction in all the camps unless we are away on manoeuvres.

The placarded invitation to “spend your leave in an English home”—“English” here covering the whole Kingdom —indicates another new Y.M. service. The association has offers from hostesses in all parts of the three countries to entertain New Zealanders on leave. Some of the offers come from people who are themselves New Zealanders; others from Home families who may have close links with New Zealand but are more often prompted by nothing more than plain British hospitality. Some offer to take soldiers for a day, or several days, some for the full period of leave. Men are invited to get in touch with the Y.M.C.A. secretary in their camps some time before they go on leave, so that arrangements may be completed ahead; but where this has been impossible short-notice hospitality can often be found.

A “find-your-relativcs” bureau been established at London headquarters and docs its best to put soldiers on the track of relatives with whom they and their New Zealand homes may have lost touch in the course of the years. By the extensive use of directories, and by invoking the co-operation of local agencies in various parts, the bureau has already been able to help early inquirers. But some of the tasks set it arc almost beyond hope of success. One boy wishes to find an aunt. She is his father’s sister, and he knows her married name. Beyond that all he knows is that his uncle was a good “bike-rider” —presumably a racing cyclist —in his early days, and that when the couple were first married they kept * fish-shop. “Where?” asked the Y.M. secretary hopefully, the fish-shop seeming to offer a clue. “Oh!” replied the boy, “somewhere in London; I don’t know any nearer than that.” Another boy knows that his uncle was a good “bike-rider" from Blairgowrio “before 1900—some time in the 1800’s.” The chances are that he will be put in touch with his father’s Scottish cousins.

Day bus trips to places of historic and allied interest are proving popular, although their regularity has been to some extent interfered with by the exigencies of training. About 350 men travelled last Saturday to Oxford, and wore shown over some of the colleges after a formal welcome, extended at lunch in the Y.M.C.A.., from the Mayor and other civic dignitaries. The next trip will bo oither to Cambridge or to Hampton Court Palace. So good an impression was left by the first party of 400 when it visited Windsor Castle that the castle authorities have offered to make their guides available for any number of further parties until every New Zealand soldier has had the opportunity of visiting tho castle. Members of tho first party saw their Majesties the King and Queen walking in the grounds, and later cheered them when,, with the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose, they appeared at an upper window.