EX-SOLDIERS RETURN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 102, 3 May 1938, Page 7

EX-SOLDIERS RETURN

SHIPS AT WELLINGTON OPINIONS OF THE TRIP 1 Per Press Association. ) WELLINGTON, May 2. With flags flying the Maunganu and the Monowai returned to-da; with 1400 ex-soldiers who had parlic. pated in the Anzac Day celebration at Sydney. The return trip was u.i eventful, with good weather all th way. "The men were a very fine lot, an every one a thorough gentleman, said an officer of the Monowai. Th two ships crossed the Tasman ii company, the Maunganui slightl; astern of the Monowai, and were i. sight of each other most of the wa> a slight haze in the last two days ob souring them at times. Between 30 and 40 men returned b, the Awatea, which also arrived froi Sydney to-day. Only one man misse< the troopships at Sydney, but h was not much later than his com rades arriving here, for he returnei by the Awatea. Mr Vincent Ward, a member of th contingent who returned by th Monowai, said the trip was memoi able and historic, being marked b, some indefinable spirit which was i. everybody’s heart. Never once di he hear a growl or a complaint o a bad* word spoken. One "Digger lost his wallet in a crowd at Welling ton, and when this was known evei 4 one aboard subscribed to refill it. Describing the march to the Ceno taph in Martin’s Place after the at rival at Sydney. Mr Ward said: "W were all proud of one another and o New Zealand. We marched well, an we looked well in dark suits and gre hats, and all wearing the same tie c silver and black. Thousands of Auc tralians intermingled with the Ne\ Zealanders and seemed to take us I their hearts and cheered and clappe as we marched along.” Magnificent Hosts. Mr Ward also said that as host the Australians were truly magniii cent. They showed their nation*; characteristics and every New Zea lander received hospitality and good fellowship far beyond all expect* tions. Mr Ward described the scene on Anzac Day as wonderful, and sai tne days that followed Anzac Da were days they would always carr with them as a pleasant dream. Th send-off at Sydney was on a par wit everything else that was crowded int five wonderful days. He was satisfied that no previou event in our history has done mor bring about an understanding be tween Australia and New 1 / aland. Mr Ward said the Australian polic were comrades all, not only for th New Zealand men, but the Austra lians too. On Anzac afternoon the could be seen playing troop with th boys. "I saw one wheeling a digger ii a wheelbarrow to his ship. Only one did I see a fight, and an Australia woman said to the boys, ‘you shoun not fight, but kiss and be friends,’ an< they did.” This morning Sir W. Perry placci a wreath on the War Memorial o; behalf of the Australian ex-service men.