GENERAL'S GRATITUDE

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21037, 13 February 1940, Page 4

GENERAL'S GRATITUDE

MESSAGES OF FAREWELL LETTER TO RETURNED SOLDIERS ENCOURAGEMENT TO TROOPS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The Hon. W. Perry, Dominion president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, has received the following letter from Major-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C., Commanding New Zealand forces overseas:— “Before coming away I received on behalf of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force a large number of encouraging telegrams from public bodies, friends and other well-wishers. Among them were a large number of telegrams from branches of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. All these telegrams will be replied to as soon as time allows, but I feel I should like to send to you as president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, my deepest personal appreciation, as well as that of all ranks of the second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, for the messages of good wishes from their elder brothers of the first New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

“We are at the present time moving across the Tasman Sea with our most powerful escort from the Royal Navy, the Royal Australian Navy and the New ! Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. Our ships make a fine display and there is a general feeling of exhilaration among all | ranks, whef feel that they are starting a fresh page in New Zealand history. “A long time will elapse before we return, but we have a feeling that no matter where" we go we shall have the support and understanding sympathy in all our doings of our comrades who took part so valiantly in the last war. Good luck and God speed to the Returned Soldiers’ Association.”