IN GREAT TRIM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24449, 7 November 1940, Page 8

IN GREAT TRIM

THE SECOND ECHELON LETTER FROM COLONEL FALCONER TRADITIONS BEING UPHELD Appreciation of the actions of the Otago Provincial Patriotic Council- in supplying arnenities 1 to the ; troops is contained in a letter received by -the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) from Lieu-tenant-colonel A. S. Falconer, commanding officer of the 23rd Canter* b.ury-Otago Battalion. The letter, written under date of September 3, is not lacking in praise for the men of the second echelon. “ This battalion, with other units of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force,” states the writer, “ has been training hard in the vicinity’Of Aidershot since arrival in England. All are under canvas, and the excellent summer weather we have enjoyed has enabled the maximum amount of time to be spent in fitting ourselves for the t:sk which lies before us. Both during training and on leave, we have been privileged to see much of the beauties of the English countryside, and to enjoy the hospitality of the ' English people. Patriotic Council’s Gifts “ Through the generous action of the Otago Provincial Patriotic Council we are well provided with sports equipment. While not actively engaged in military training the troops take full advantage of facilities for various outdoor games, cricket, football, and the like. Recently a cricket team from the N.Z.E.F. met an Australian eleven, and won the match —I think to the surprise of both teams.- “ The general standard of physical fitness is high, and, on recent field exercises, all units, carried out route marches of over 20 miles in one day. “ The ‘ loud speaker ’ unit which you were instrumental in having presented to Brigadier Hargest has proved invaluable; I have frequently made use of it in this battalion with, ex--cellent results. Perhaps you will be good enough to make known to interested ‘ patriotic members’ how useful this set has proved, and how grateful we are for it. - Good Impression Created *’ We are now receiving mails fairlyregularly, to the, general, satisfaction’ of all. Great interest is displayed in events, in New Zealand since our departure. particularly the . preparations being, made .for ,'home defence., ;. _ “I am pleased to'be iblp to state . that the -force has created :a> good impression in the Mother Country, and the .reputation established in 1914-18 is being worthily upheld. We have been visited by his Majesty the King, Lord Bledisloe, and other notable personages, all of whom have made very Haltering comments, with the result :that we have something tdSUg^-iipi'to. , I have every ability of the force to maintain “ the standard set by the the Great War, whatever our role may be” ...- = ■^--