CHURCH OF ENGLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24632, 13 June 1941, Page 6

CHURCH OF ENGLAND

WAR WORK IN EGYPT : COMFORTS FOR MEN FROM GREECE «• - • .. -• The Church Army has opened a second hut at Base Reception; this will be used as a games room and is fitted up with many kinds of games and is marked out for badminton. This extra room enables the original hVit to be used as a quiet reading and writing establishment. All facilities have been supplied by the Commissioner for the National Patriotic Fund Board, who has also made available accessories necessary to operate a buffet. Writing of the reception of the troops from Greece an official says: “At the request of the D.A.A.G. we loaded up Bishop Gerard’s utility truck with as many comforts as possible and set off on our trek across the desert. On our way we distributed comforts to one unit which is cut off from the conveniences which Base Camp affords. We made a tour of the various companies scattered over a wide area and distributed material as we went. The boys devoured the reading material and other comforts. Arriving at our destination we discovered the Australian Red Cross on the job. Two voluntary Y.M.C.A. workers with ourselves worked with the Australians and soon had everything well in hand for the arrival of the convoys. We supplied several thousand troops with cups of tea, quantities of cigarettes and chocolate during the next few days, whilst the Red Cross and hospital units attended to many cases of slightly wounded. A wonderful spirit of cooperation exists amongst our A.N.Z.A.C. officer's and men, and we found it a real pleasure to work with our Australian friends. We extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to the Patriotic Board’s Commissioner who made supplies available and, made possible this work of welcoming the boys back from Greece.

“At the Base Camp.” the writer adds, “we have restocked the library with books from patriotic supplies and it is a pleasure to find so many men availing themselves of the literature. We procured two cases of New Zealand apples the other day and I can assure you they did not last very long."