Job for Fit Men Only

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 254, 26 October 1940, Page 3

Job for Fit Men Only

FEILDING SOLDIER BACK FROM EGYPT RETURNS WITH AVAR TROPHIES “It’s a job for fit men only and General Freyberg was very emphatic on this point,” remarked Private W. L. J, Pleasants, son of Air. and Airs. L. Pleasants, of Feilding, who has been invalided back from Egypt- A member of the First Echelon, Private Pleasants joined the transport section of the Army Service Corps as a. driver. During training in Egypt an old football injury to his right knee commenced to give trouble and the swelling of the knee soon obliged medical attention. He was admitted to a military hospital where an operation was performed and three months later was discharged as ’ unfit for further service. Talking to a “Times” representative' yesterday, Private Pleasants stated that j he was perfectly fit but for his knee and was very anxious to carry on in some job which would not require much walking and definitely no marching, but the authorities were emphatic that only fit men could remain in Egypt and it was with considerable reluctance that he resigned himself to the fate of being returned home again. During his stay in the land of the Pharaohs Private Pleasants availed himself of taking in the sights of Cairo and adjacent districts and managed to secure many photographs. He bad had the experience of several air raids when Italian planes had come over but no serious damage resulted. Camp conditions were very good indeed with plenty of food. General Freyberg was very popular with all ranks and was very particular about physical fitness. The dry heat of Cairo was no discomfort and although at times the temperature had risen to 122 degrees, so long as one took the necessary precautions, it was enjoyed. He agreed with the views of Diggers of the Great War about the fly nuisance. They were a real pest. He had met a number of those who had served in Egypt during the Great War and found it, entertaining to exchange notes on experiences. It was a big drag, he said, to have to pack up and leave for home once more and now I he was back with his military career over, he would have to get back into civilian life. He had been the subject of a close and complete medical examination on ariving back and had been passed out as being permanently unlit, for further military duties. He did think he might have secured a position in one of the base offices, but apparently there was nothing doing. Private Pleasants brought back with him several “trophies” of the war, these including several pieces of shrapnel and a small piece of an Italian bomber as well as other little odds and ends with associations of this war. These, together with his collection of photographs, will form an intimate record of cherished experiences, ‘ ‘ a»<l although I am out of it, and regret that very much, I shall be able to draw from my pictures, memories of those experiences in Egypt,” ho said. With his father, Private Pleasants called on tho Town Clerk, Air. C. H. Tate, yesterday morning and after a chat expressed a desire to become a member of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Private Pleasants will thus be the first returned man of this war to join up with the local R.S.A. which lias taken a very practical interest in the men of the new army.