NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3668, 15 February 1940, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

TWO DAYS IN “AUSSIE” “DIGGERS’” TYPICAL HUMOUR In an Australian paper dated February 3 a full account is given, of a march by the. First Echelon of the New Zealand Division from Fremantle to Perth, a distance of 12} miles, with the thermometer 100 degrees in the shade. The report states that the march will never be forgotten by those who took part or those who witnessed it. Some collapsed in the main streets owing to the heat and the heavy marching after a fortnight of bare feet on the boats. It is plain from the report that members of New Zealand’s Second Expeditionary Force are chips of the same block as that which sawservice in the Great War, as the foliowing typical incidents show: A swarm of Diggers went from North Fremantle, to North Fremantle station. They crowded out the guard’s van. . When he protested, the, lamp anil - whistle, ’’blew” the train out, and the green light. When the guard did not give the compulsory “0.k.” signal a few hundred yards further on, the train stopped. Guard got aboard, gave the signal, and the train got on its way. • • • Froggie sailor and a Digger had been fraternising in Perth, and went back to Fremantle together.

They parted; one„to go to North Wharf to. his ship; the other to the South. Froggie’s eyes filled with tears; “M’sieur,” he began. Digger slapped him on the back. “And I’ll damn, well miss you, too,” he replied.

A car was missed from near Fremantle raihvay station. Police were notified. Owner remained near the spot. An hour later the car rolled up, disgorged ten Diggers. Owner went forw-ard to expostulate. One Digger bowed and said: “Our thanks. Charge it to Hitler.” All then disappeared.

Pot plants and lounge furniture at Wentworth Hotel, Perth, were taken out of the building into the roadway and offered by auction. There were no bidders, so they were taken back again.

Several Diggers asked a car owmer—who was sitting at the wheel—for a lift to the railway station. He demurred. They enlisted the help of others, lifted the car clean up the Perth G.P.O. steps, and left it there, telling the owner he had better lift it down again.

A Digger landed on the wharf with his pal. One was rather elevated, the other not so bad. Latter recollected he hadn’t a hair of the dog for the morning, and decided to go back and get it. But, he thought, if he left his pal, he would w r ander on the roadw-ay and get run over. 'He took oq the elevated one’s boots, pushed his feet through the railway fence, hopped over, and replaced and relaced the boots then he w r ent off. Meantime, the picket happened along. They tried to lift the recumbent one; but, though they heaved until the pickets creaked, they could not shift him. Just then the mate returned and explained his “safety first” method.

Schooners and pots were not in adequate numbers at the Perth and .Fremantle hotels, so wherever possible the soldiers secured—or souvenired —a glass with a handle, and either buttoned it through their shoulder straps or pockets, and meandered on to the next hostelry.

Pride of the “First and Last Store” on the w-harf at Fremantle —a stuffed full-grown ’roo mounted with stand complete—“walked” on to a ship under the very nose of the proprietress, w r hile the rest in ? the joke diverted the lady’s attention.