HOLIDAYS FOR SOLDIERS

Southland Times, Issue 24593, 15 November 1941, Page 8

HOLIDAYS FOR SOLDIERS

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR

DATES ANNOUNCED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, November 14. All Expeditionary Force soldiers in New Zealand, including the recentlyformed Army Tank Brigade at Waiouru, will be able to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays at home, and many of the Home Defence forces will enjoy the same privilege, while others will be given leave as the opportunity offers. Orders setting out the dates of leave have been issued by Army Headquarters. Expeditionary Force troops will be despatched in two groups. Some will have leave from December 18-19 to January 5; others will be away from camps from December 21-22 to January 6. Territorials, apart from cadres, will be despatched to reach their homes by December 23. This means that those who would normally be demobilized at the end of December after completing three months’ training will finish more than a week earlier. Training cadres will be given leave for part or all of the period from December 22 to January 5 inclusive, subject to carrying out duties, such as draft conducting, for which they may be detailed. Camp staffs will have 14 days’ leave during December or January as the opportunity occurs. Fortress troops and guards of vital points will be given 14 days’ leave from December 23 inclusive as duties permit. They, will be sent away from time to time in small detachments so that their posts will be constantly and sufficiently manned.