LAST OF 2 N Z E F OVERSEAS. EXCEPT IN JAPAN, TO DISBAND

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 January 1948, Page 5

LAST OF 2 N Z E F OVERSEAS. EXCEPT IN JAPAN, TO DISBAND

(N.Z.P.A.—Copyright’.) Recd. 6 p.m. London, Jan. 29. The last detachment of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. still overseas, with the exception of New Zealand troops in Japan, will officially cease to exist on Saturday, when the few remaining 2nd. N,Z,E.F. personnel still at New Zealand Military Headquarters in London will be formally transferred from the 2nd. N.Z.E.F. to the military liaison staff. Only two officers and two other ranks are affected—Brigadier G. B. Parkinson, New Zealand military liaison officer, who will drop his appointment as officer commanding the 2nd. N.Z.E.F, (United Kingdom), Major M. L, Yorke, who is returning to New Zealand for discharge, a warrant officer clerk, and a driver.

In addition, nine New Zealand deserters who are still at large in the United Kingdom, will be transferred from, the 2nd. N.Z.E.F. strength to that of the liaison detachment. Major Yorke, who is returning to New Zealand by theßuahjne on January 26, has possibly the longest period of continuous overseas service'of any member of the Expeditionary Force. He left New Zealand in 1939 with the advance party which preceded the First Echelon, and lias not returned to the Dominion since. Major Yorke served with the Divisional Engineers right through the war until the final stages of the campaign in Italy, and was then transferred to London headquarters, where lias been for the past three years.