ANZAC WARRIORS PARADE

Southland Times, Issue 24440, 21 May 1941, Page 4

ANZAC WARRIORS PARADE

MR FRASER’S VISIT TO EGYPT KEEN INTEREST SHOWN BY’ TROOPS (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) CAIRO, May 20. Continuing his detailed inspection of the New Zealand Forces in the Middle East the Right Hon. P. Fraser today visited the large New Zealand base camp. He first went to the field supply depot and showed great interest in the whole of the arrangements for the supply of meat, vegetables and dry rations to the forces. He was pleased to see the considerable amount of New Zealand produce being used. The sergeant butcher said the meat which Mr Fraser inspected was good North Island beef. For the first time since his arrival in the Middle East Mr Fraser saw troops training and learning to use field guns, which wrought such havoc on the Hun in Greece, and learning to apply the fine instrumental work of survey to the needs of war. During his visit to the Artillery Survey Company he met and chatted with several Public Works Department engineers who are carrying out the traditions of the department in the Army. Mr Fraser had morning tea with infantry ' sergeants and visited the Y.M.C.A. hut. He was gratified to see the steps being taken to provide recreational facilities at our camps. An inspection of the Lowry hut, which is in the course of erection, concluded the morning programme. Here Mr Fraser met Mrs A. P. F. Chapman, who is the only woman Y.M.C.A. worker-with the New Zealand troops. The hut is fitted out in a manner that will enable it to be used readily for entertainments and other purposes. Without a doubt it is one of the best of its kind in the Middle East.

WARRIORS MARCH PAST As they marched past Mr Fraser in their parade on Sunday morning, each man of the New Zealand Divisional troops in Egypt felt a thrill of pride on realizing that the great effort in Greece was receiving recognition from their Prime Minister, who represented their own people home in New Zealand. Mr Fraser in his turn was proud to be the representative of the people who produced such a fine body of fighting men. These men had faced tremendous odds; they had been up against it and had found themselves. In simple words Mr Fraser thanked them sincerely for the splendid part they had taken in the battle which the British Commonwealth was fighting. Three rousing cheers for Mr Fraser were given by all the men on parade. This was the first parade the troops had had since their return and their soldierly bearing, discipline and precision impressed all present. The early morning light and a gusty wind reminded many old soldiers present of similar parades held in this country during the Great War. Initiative, self-reliance, co-operation, discipline and a belief in the cause for which they were fighting, said Mr Fraser, were factors which helped to make their performance so splendid. The people at home had been very anxious, and while they mourned the loss of fine lads who fell and their hearts went out in sympathy to bereaved parents and other relations, they were thankful the casualties had not been as heavy as feared. ADMIRATION EXPRESSED On behalf of the people and Government of New Zealand he expressed the highest admiration for their magnificent achievements and for their many deeds of courage and daring. It was no exaggeration to say that no soldiers could possibly have done better than they had done. History recorded no finer or more stirring episodes than those in which they figured so gallantly and effectively during the marvellous retreat, when the New Zealand men fought a rearguard action which covered the British forces in Greece. Everybody in New Zealand was proud of them. The Dominion’s heartfelt thanks were theirs; they had fought for New Zealand, the finest country on earth, as well as for the British Commonwealth and the cause of human freedom. They knew that a triumph for democracy meant not only the preservation of the freedom enjoyed by the people of New Zealand and the maintenance of the existing high standards of social opportunities, but even still finer possibilities in the future for the people as a whole. Both General Sir Archibald Wavell and Major-General B. C. Freyberg expressed to him their highest admiration for the fine work of the New Zealand Division in Greece. Mr Fraser attended a church service, the officiating padre being tire Rev. Keith Watson. Stopping at times and talking to small groups of men and hearing their stories of the Greek campaign, Mr Fraser visited various parts of the camp where men were stationed. Everywhere he heard the same story: that the men felt they had the measure of their Nazi enemies, and were looking forward to another chance of meeting them. PLIED WITH QUESTIONS The men in their turn plied Mr Fraser with questions about New Zealand and how things were going in their own country. Mr Fraser was able to tell them the latest news and give them information about various topics in which they were interested. It was a very human, democratic visit and helped the New Zealand soldiers to feel they were being kept in touch with their own country. Before passing on to each small gathering Mr Fraser shook hands with every man and had a word for him. He was cheered as he entered his car. After lunch with senior officers of the camn, he proceded to a large prison camp, where the guard was furnished by New Zealanders who had taken part in the Greek campaign. He briefly addressed the men and repeated his message from the people to the troops. Italian and German prisoners were confined in this camp. A second visit to a large hospital was undertaken to see men he had been, unable to see on the first occasion. For each he had a kindly word and an inquiry. The administration stores and laboratories were inspected, and Mr Fraser expressed the opinion that they were all of a uniformly high standard. He said it spoke volumes for the nurses and doctors of the N.Z.E.F. hospitals that he had not heard a single complaint from any patient; on the contrary the highest praise came from all the patients, some of whom were from Australian and British forces.

KIWI CLUB VISITED The Kiwi Club, which is conducted by voluntary workers for the benefit of the patients of this particular hospital, was next visited. There he was able to see the very fine work being done for the men in this institution. He met women who were working there and thanked them on behalf of the people of New Zealand for their services to the New Zealand soldiers. Mr Fraser and party had tea with the men. Mr Fraser had already met representatives of the Press at a conference at the British Embassy. He addressed them and answered questions with particular reference to New

Zealand. Through a long tiring day Mr Fraser showed himself to be imbued with endless energy, and everywhere he went he impressed by his cheerful good humour and desire to meet as many soldiers as he could.