Sgt. E. Collins With Travelled Surveyors

Northern Advocate, 15 July 1943, Page 4

Sgt. E. Collins With Travelled Surveyors

The Survey Company is the most travelled in the N.Z.E.F., said Sergeant E. C. Collins, of the 9th Survey Company of Railway C. and M. Group in an interview yesterday. Sergeant Collins, who is an ex-North-land representative cricketer, played the game in Syria and Palestine pitches being matting on concrete, and very reminiscent of the Whangarei Reclamation in its early days. He took part in one game on the American University ground at Beirut. A series of tests were played out by members of New Zealand Railway Construction units, and representatives of England and Australia, both games being won by New Zealand. In one “test - ’ Sergeant Collins made lOC not out.

Former Northland Engineer

He left New Zealand in the Second Echelon and he was under the command of Lieut.-Colonel R. H. Packwood, who was formerly Public Works engineer at Whangarei, and is now attached to the British Army.

Sergeant Collins went to England for seven weeks and thence to the Western Desert, where he was engaged on the construction of the line from Mersa Matruh, a distance of 212 miles. He then went to _ Syria, where the company assisted in the construction of the coastal railway. To Iran, Iraq The Survey Company went to Iraq and Iran, through Bagdad, Basra and Sultanabad It was a most interesting journey, Sultanabad being about 6000 ft above sea level and the small New Zealand party experienced a “white” Christmas. Rebellions in Iraq and Iran were half-hearted and both countries are now well settled down, said Sergeant Collins. 'ln Palestine or Syria a New Zealander could go into any native village and be welcomed, particularly in Syria, where the Arabs were of a good type. Syria was more like New Zealand than any country Sergeant Collins had been through in the Middle East.

Another trip made by the company was into the 'Soudan to Wadi Haifa, there being a “Queen Street” in that town. The 3th Company, which is a small one, lived really as one family. It was machine-gunned and bombed occasionally without casualties. Smooth Seas In their 17 weeks of sea travel they did not have a rough day. The New Zealand workmen were as good as any in the Middle East, in fact, as good as any in the world. “The Tommy is a splendid fellow, and is the most patient to be found. He is always cheerful and very thorough,” said Sergeant Collins. On the way to England the troops received a great reception at Capetown, they being the first Dominion troops to pass through that city since the declaration of war. They also received a splendid reception at Ferth on the homeward journey. The New Zealanders got oh well with all sections of the army and are very popular. While on construction work the company drew an extra 10 per cent ration on account of their difficult work.

Previous to leaving New Zealand Sergeant Collins was employed as engineer’s assistant in the Public Works Department.