THE EMPIRE'S THANKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1916, Page 8

THE EMPIRE'S THANKS.

. GEN. BIRDWOOD'S TRIBUTE. ... THE HEROES 03? ANZAQ, The folowing is tho tex't of a general order which was issued to the New Zealand and Australian Army Corps by General Mir W. Birdwood on his promotion to the command of the forces at Gallipoli:— '"ANZAC, December I—Boys, I cannot tell you how really sorry I am to be leaving Anzac, as I have to shift. over to Army Headquarters, I have not, however, any intention of saying good-bye to anyone, for I trust that is is by no means good-bye. I ! still hope and intend to see as much of all my old friends in the amy corps as I possibly can do. Nor am I going 'to express my thanks to the ofliecrs and men, even if I could find words 'lo do so. I feci that it would only be presumption on my part. It is for the British Empire, to do that, and I Well know that it will do so. My one wish is to be able to finish this war alongside of all my old comrades of Anzac. Having begun it together close on a year ago now in Egypt, I sincerely trust that many of us may be spared to see it through together, when the times comes to make an end of our German enemies, though that day may be yet far distant. General Birdwood forwarded a copy of this order in a private letter to the New Zealand Minister for Defence (Hon. J. Allen).