Duke Visits N.Z. Camp

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 93, 21 April 1942, Page 4

Duke Visits N.Z. Camp

Realistic Exercises Witnessed MAORIS PROVIDE GUARD OF HONOUR (N.Z.E.F. Official New* Service.) Received Mender, 9.30 p.m. CAIRO, April 19. Men stripped to the waist charging down a rugged bayonet assault course under a blnzing morning sun, and a hectic fire-fighting demonstration, were among the of many phases ot training witn *s-»ea by the Duke or Gloucester when \iening the New Zealand camp at Maadi to day. The Duke, who was accompanied by General Stobe, G.O.C. British troops in Egypt, spent a whole morning in the camp. After receiving the royal salute, the Duke inspected a guard of honour < f [stalwart men from the Maori Training j Company, who later marched past to the strains of music from the base band. The senior officers were then presented by the camp commandant, Brigadier A. 8. Falconer. His Highness attended divine service, during which a Maori choir of over 100 voices Ming in Maori the beautiful hymn, “My Redeemer.” The Duke took the salute nfterwarda, the men as they marched past lookng fit and already deeply browned by the recent fierce sun. Dinners were being cooked in improvised field ovens when the Duke visited the cookery school. Wimply constructed of empty petrol drums, this type of oven has been extensively used since before the desert campaign. The popular Lowry Hut was woil filled with soldiers upon the arrival of His Highness, who was shown through by Mrs. A. P. F. Chapman, by whom the hut is conducted. A short stay was made there for morning tea. Training was continued in full swing at the School of Instruction during the Duke’s visit. Squads marched up and down the parade ground, lectures were being given in the huts and men were toiling through a rigorous test bayonet assault course while the Duke watched. The mysteries of pie production %vere explained to the Duke at the pie factory, where he examined the spotlessly clean machinery. Outaide, loaves of bread by the thousand were being tos*ed out of great ovens. Excitement ran high among the native workers when the fire alarm sounded for a demonstration of the svsteni. They flung buckets of water over the building themselves with rare abandon until the arrival of the lire engines. A guard of honour was again provided by the Maoris as the Duke took his departure. Late in the afternoom his Highness arrived in the New Zeeland Club, surprising hundreds of troops by walking through their midst, saluted smartly and greeted him as tie He shook hands and spoke to a tall, genial Australian private who had passed. After tea he made a thorough tour of the club facilities.