RETURNING TROOPS

Otago Witness, Issue 3415, 29 August 1919, Page 43

RETURNING TROOPS

ARRIVAL OF THE SOMERSET. AN AEROPLANE TRAGEDY. CHRISTCHURCH, August 20. The transport Somerset left Liverpool on July 2, and a very pleasant trip was experienced during the whole voyage. Norfolk (Virginia) was reaohed on July 14, and the vessel did not leave until July 19, during which time the men were entertained right royally by the navy, the Y.M.0.A., and the American people generally. Ample leave was allowed, and everything possible was done to give the men a thoroughly good time. Colon wa3 reached on July 26. ' The Somerset was in a fortunate position, having on board the band of the 2nd Otago Infantry Battalion —a band which, under the command of Sergeant-major J. C. Williams, consisted of 25 players. The Somerset brought a big English mail —600 bags—for the dominion. The troops on board the Somerset witnessed a terrible aeroplane accident as they were entering Norfolk Harbour, Newport News. Two aeroplanes had come out to greet them, and were circling low over the Slip's bow, when they collided, and fell with a crash "nto the. sea. Four airmen were killed instantly, and one was saved. Many of the splinters from the aeroplanes fell on the vessel's deck. The accident happened only about 12yds away from the ship's bow, and if the collision had occurred a few moments earlier a large number of New Zealand troops would have been killed or injured. The aeroplanes were flying so low over the ship that the troops were Sble to speak to -t;he airmen. If the accident had occurred earlier, the aeroplanes would have crashed on top of a large body of troops who were congregated on the bow. It is stated that the aeroplanes were of a small type, and the airmen were very daring in their methods of flying. ARRIVAL OF PORT HACKING. CHRISTCHURCH, August 20. The transport Port Hacking left Liverpool on July 4, and, with the exception of two days' rough weather about a week from Colon, and another two days before reaching. Lyttelton, fine weather was experienced during the whole voyage. There were 835 troops, under the command of Major Richardson, D. 5.0., M.C., and the utmost harmony prevailed during the whole trip. The food throughout was regarded ( as good for a troopship, and the men have practically no complaints to make. The troops on the Port Hacking comprised a mixed draft from the Main Body to the latest reinforcements, and every man appeared to be wearing the new general service ribbon. The behaviour throughout the trip is regarded by Major Richardson as excellent. The only port called at was Colqa, where. the usual hospitality was extended. Lectures, debates, or concerts were held each evening during the trip, which was enlivened by the band of the 2nd Canterbury Battalion, which is the " champion band of the New Zealand Division, having "earned this distinction at St. Leger (France) in June, 1918. The band is commanded by Sergeant-major R. G. Owen, and consists *of 35 men. THE MAM ARTS'DRAFT. SOLDIER DROWNED WHILE . SWIMMING. 'AUCKLAND,. August 20. After a tedious time, while medical inspection was being carried out in the - stream, the transport Mamari_ berthed at noon to-day. The .vessel arrived shortly * after midnight, and was boarded by the port health officer this morning. _ One of the soldiers was found to be suffering from a ' mild form of influenza, and the medioal inspection therefore took a good deal longer than usual. The patient, together with 10 contacts, was removed to isolation at Motuihi. One man suffering from mumps was also taken off the steamer and placed in the hospital. A sad occurrence marked the vessel's stay at Newport. While one of the soldiers— Rifleman R. Barker —was swimming at the ship's side, he got into*difficulties, and sank before help could reach him. He was not ' afterwards seen. Rifleman Barker's next-of-kin reside in Sydney. During the stay at one of the American ports one of the soldiers missed the steamer, and was left behind. He .will probably be picked up by another transport following - the Mamari. PORT HACKING AND SOMERSET *> DRAFTS. MEN REACH DUNEDIN. Owing to the almost simultaneous arrival of two laden troopships in Lyttelton on the 20th inst. Dunedin was the destination in tho evening of an unusually large body of returning soldiers brought down by two heavy express trains. The first of these brought the Port Hacking's draft. It got away from Christchuroh just before noon with about 430 men on board, 100 of whom were dropped at various stations en route. Major Fleming was in charge of the train. Tho men were very cordially welcomed' on the way down, and were made much of by the Red Cross and other friends at Christchurch, Ashburton, and Timaru particularly. They received a cordial welcome in Dunedin, as also did the draft from the, "Somerset. /■ MAMARI'S DRAFT. The Otago and Southland quota of the Mamari's draft, which left Christchuroh on Friday morning, arrived ■ in Duned'n punctually to time on Saturday evening by tho 5.35 train. As usual there was a large crowd present at the station to welcome the men, who were accorded a very hearty reception as tho train drew alongside the platform. Thirteen men disembarked at various stations north ot Dunedin, and of the 28 who arrived at Dunedin .17 are for southern stations. Throe or four members of the local Pipe Band were among the returning men, and their_ fellowbandsmen welcomed them and their companions in true Scottish style. _ Representatives of the Women's Patriotic Association were, as usual, present at the station in order to distribute cigarettes, etc., among the soldiers. ' DRAFT EN JBOUTE. . WELLINGTON, August' 23. The Defence Department has been ad- - vised that the Addlnh Woermann, with returning draft No. 286. left Great Britain on August 14 for Wellington via* Panama ■with 675 troops 39 women and nine children aboard and is expected at Wellington about

September 28. Tho Giessen with draft No. 269 is due at Wellington on Monday night. • The Ellenga with draft No. 279, is expected at Auckland on September 3.