N.Z. TROOPS IN LONDON

Southland Times, Issue 24162, 26 June 1940, Page 4

N.Z. TROOPS IN LONDON

Maori Battalion Popular 'v

PEAKED HAT RECALLS VIVID MEMORIES

ADVANCED TRAINING SOON TO BEGIN

(United Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 25. The following cable dispatch was re.ceived from London today from the official war correspondent attached to the New Zealand forces overseas (Mr J. H. Hall). “The streets of London were bright with New Zealand puggarees and shoulder patches as the troops of the 2nd Echelon began their first leave in Britain this week. All men get 48 hours’ leave, exclusive of travelling time to visit relations anywhere in England and Scotland. Those without relations, or not wishing in the meantime to visit them, will come to London. “The New Zealand War Service Association has been formed by the New’ Zealanders in Britain to extend hospitality to soldiers on leave and to entertain them in the camps, and have hired the Adelphi Theatre adjoining New Zealand House as a canteen, rest room, accommodation bureau and information centre. All day long troops made for this centre and were deeply grateful for what their fellow New Zealanders were doing for them. Numerous sight-seeing and entertainment concessions are available to our soldiers through the War Services Association. For example, half-guinea theatre seats are 3/6. Special bus and river trips are being arranged and contacts have been made which are leading to offers of private hospitality. Londoners of the older generation are quick to recognize the peaked hat which recalled vivid memories of the Great War and the highly favourable reputation established by the New Zealand troops then. “The members of the Maori Battalion, who were on one of the earliest leave trains, were a particular focus of interest. The Maoris have already made the headlines here by reason of their guardslike smartness on parade and the almost mechanical precision of their rifle drill. The troops of the 2nd Echelon are now thoroughly settled. “Next week when the last of them return from their first British leave, advanced training will begin in earnest. The health of the men is good and their first experience of rationing was not greatly disturbing, despite its contrast with the high living aboard some of the transports. “The latter half of the journey was uphappily marred by three and probably four deaths. At a port of call Captain W. R. Creeser, of the Army Service Corps, died of illness. Private N. S. Traynor, an infantry man, died from the effects of an accidental fall on leave. Both were buried ashore. “Sergeant D. Peterson, of the First General Hospital, is believed to have been lost overboard at night while the convoy was lying at the same port. The cry, “man overboard,” was raised and Sergeant J. D. Ormond went in with a lifeline, but could find no trace of the missing man. A very strong tide was running past the stern of the ship out of the berthing basin at the time. Sergeant Ormond was publicly commended by the officer commanding the troops in the transport concerned. On June 11 Gunner W. Francis, of the Artillery Regiment, died and was buried at sea the next day.”