THE SECOND CHRISTMAS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24833, 5 February 1942, Page 6

THE SECOND CHRISTMAS

SOLDIERS IN MIDDLE EAST SCENES OF FESTIVITY (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO, Dec. 26. New Zealanders in the Middle East celebrated their second Christmas overseas with all possible enthusiasm, and as circumstances permitted, in traditional New Zealand manner. There were, of course,' nostalgic memories of blue summer skies and rolling surf, of merry family gatherings and all those other things which used to make Christmas the most important day of the year. Although it would be impossible wholly to compensate for this, New Zealanders did their best, once again showing that they had a keen appreciation of how to enjoy themselves, despite localities. Both “out in the blue” and elsewhere the war was momentarily paused for Christmas dinner. For days beforehand quartermasters, cooks, and orderlies had been making feverish preparations. Truckloads of stores were unloaded at cookhouses to emerge as steaming Christmas puddings, seasoned turkey, Toheroa soup, and dther festive delicacies. Suddenly, cooks and quartermasters found themselves the most popular men in the expeditionary force. Dinner at Services Club

Cairo streets, kinemas, cafes, and cabarets were crowded with soldiers on leave. Hundreds of them found their way to the New Zealand Forces Club, which was gaily decorated with hanging festoons and multi-coloured streamers. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day members of the New Zealand Women's War Service Auxiliary staged at the club an effective tableau of the Holy Family. Troops from all parts of the Empire joined with New Zealanders at Christmas dinner served in the club's spacious dining rooms. At hospitals and convalescent depots streamers and decorations, Christmas trees and gifts made the surroundings as bright as possible. Officers and nurses at one New Zealand hospital toured the wards on Christmas Eve, singing carols. Next day, following a special service, a New Zealand band and Maori choir entertained patients with seasonal music and song. Gifts from the National Patriotic Funds Board, together with many others from well-wishers, were distributed by a traditiohally-garbed Father Christmas on a precariously balanced sleigh drawn by a realistic "reindeer." (The components,of this curious animal later returned to the officers' mess.) Carol singers from the Cairo Pro-cathedral choir, a New Zealand band, a band from the Egyptian Army, and the South African Mobile Kinema Unit were among the visitors to another New Zealand hospital, while at the main convalescent depot officers, warrant officers, and sergeants waited on the men at Christmas dinner, the compliment, of course, being returned. The tempting attractions of Cairo on Christmas Eve did not hinder the Y.M.C.A. from holding successful parties at both the Central and Lowry Huts. The several hundred soldiers who attended were entertained with bright items and band selections, a tasty supper later being served by women visitors from Cairo and Maadi. Meantime, another Christmas party was being held at the Maadi Recreation Tent. Athletic Contests As usual, sport took a fairly prominent part in the Christmas programme. On Christmas Day a New Zealand camp relay team competed at a South African athletics meeting, winning the 440 yards, and being narrowly beaten in the mile event. In the New Zealand team were W. McHugh, C. R. Bradwell, J. S. Watson, Large, and R. H. Coombe. McHugh, who is the N.Z.E.F. Rugby winger, made an exciting finish in the 440 yards, winning by two yards after being four yards behind at the change. On. Boxing Day thousands of New Zealanders and other Empire troops, gathered at Gerira to watch a New Zealand Rugby team defeat an A.I.F. side by 16 points to nil. Next day the unbeaten Maadi camp hockey, team played an Indian representative side. Thus Christmas, 1941, came and went. With developments as they were in the Pacific, there were many who this year thought more than ever of home. Throughout the expeditionary, force there is, however, a great deal of hope, echoing the words of the Empire's leaders, that Christmas, 1942, will be spent in much happier circumstances.