N.Z. TROOPS ARRIVE IN MELBOURNE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 228, 26 September 1945, Page 5

N.Z. TROOPS ARRIVE IN MELBOURNE

LINER STRATHMORE Rec. 12.5 a.m. Melbourne, Sept. 25 Four thousand New Zealanders, members of the famous New Zealand 2nd Division, arrived in Melbourne this morning on their way home aboard the P. and 0. liner Strathmore. After drawing some pay the men were given leave of a day and a night, and they trooped ashore to sec the sights.

Four special trains were provided to take them to the city. The band of the R.N.Z.A.F., which is touring Australia, was on the wharf and played welcoming music, as the ship arrived. All.the men served throughout the Middle East and the Italian campaigns and wore the 1939-45 Star, the Italy Star, and some the Defence Medal. Their neat uniforms and orderly conduct were favourably commented upon and the men soon made many friends. Some were content to stay around the city, and others found their way into distant suburbs. Many were guests in private homes. About 100 attended the J. C. Williamshow show “Rio Rita” at His Majesty’s Theatre, as guests of the management. Others were given free access to some of the picture theatres.

The names of the Wanganui and district officers, n.c.o's and men aboard the Strathmore will be published on Friday. Those aboard the Dominion Monarch, also on route to the Dominion, will be published on Saturday.