WAR WORK IN LONDON

Southland Times, Issue 25747, 10 August 1945, Page 3

WAR WORK IN LONDON

N.Z. ASSOCIATION

Throughout the war a valuable work has been done by the New Zealand Wai' Services’ Association, London, in looking after the interests and welfare of New Zealand servicemen and women. An important part of the association’s work has been the running of the New Zealand Forces Club in Charing Cross road. Its doors were open throughout the most difficult days of the war and the club is still functioning.

In many other ways, too, the association has looked after the interests of New Zealanders not only in the fighting services, but also in the Merchant Navy. Over a long period Miss Thurston has looked after the comfort and needs of New Zealand servicemen in hospital in the United Kingdom, and Miss Stella Murray and her band of voluntary workers have attended to the distribuI tion of cigarettes and other gifts to New Zealanders in the services and in the Merchant Navy. There is also the distribution of patriotic parcels, which the association has carried out through the New Zealand Base post office. Dances arranged by the association were held at the New Zealand Forces Club and luncheons were also held there in honour of New Zealanders who had attended investiture ceremonies at Buckingham . Palace. In spite of wartime difficulties the association each year arranged successful Christmas parties.

In paying a tribute to the association, Major-General H. K. Kippenberger said that before he arrived in England he had not realized that the New Zealand Forces Club in London differed from those in the Middle East and Italy, in that it was run by busy people who gave their time in the difficult wartime conditions existing in Britain. He assured members of the association that when their work was finished they would have done a very good job.