HOME FROM EGYPT

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21250, 22 October 1940, Page 4

HOME FROM EGYPT

26 ON SICK LIST “ HEAT, SAND AND FLIES ” EXPERIENCES OF THREE RETURNED SOLDIERS TWICE (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday Twenty-six members of the First Echelon who have been invalided back from Egypt have arrived—2B left Egypt but two missed the (steamer connection in Australia. Tropic tan and good spirits make it difficult to realise the men are on the sick list. None has seen any active service, though most were for a time in forward positions at Mersa Matruh and Sidi Barrani. Asked about conditions in Egypt, they spoke with feeling of heat, sand and flies. One day before they left the temperature was 122 in the shade. The journey back to New Zea- | land occupied about eight weeks, via ! India. The only sign the men saw | of the enemy was when Italian planes bombed Cairo. Apart from the heat, sand and flies, they said, conditions in the base camp were excellent. The food was good and well cooked and the arrangements for entertainments very (satisfactory indeed. The General Officer Commanding the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Major-General F.reyberg, was described as very popular. The men were met by an officer from Area Headquarters, Wellington, with instructions about their immediate movements. Each man received £2 of pay before coming ashore. They were taken to Area Headquarters and examined by a medical board. One goes to hospital and the remainder have been given leave to visit their homes. The Auckland members leave this afternoon, Southerners tonight and the Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki men tomorrow morning. The party includes three men who are now returned soldiers twice over:—Privates J. Hunt, T. Pitts and R. Martin, who saw service in the last war. Private Hunt was then with a naval patrol, but this time with a machine-gun battalion. Privates Pitts and Martin were in the infantry both times. List of Names The complete list of men back from Egypt, including the two who missed the connection en route, is as folPrivates R. W. Alexander (Timaru), J. Barnes (Christchurch), S. W. Bennett (Christchurch), C. G. Burn (Auckland), J. Cowie (Cromwell), E. W. Dawson (Christchurch), Driver R. V. Denson (Christchurch). Privates G. C. Field (Christchurch). C. F. Fischer (Dannevirke), R. T. Gutsell (Dunedin), J. M. Hall (Christchurch), Gunner G. J. Hammond (Christchurch). Privates J. H. Hawkins (New South Wales), sent to the Wellington Hospital with appendicitis; Private J. Hunt (Christchurch), J. Lee (Westport), Sapper T. Lynch (Auckland), Private R. H. Martin (Greymouth).

Signaller R. C. Milligan (Otahuhu), missed the boat en route; Privates E. V. Morrish (Whangarei), A. Nielsen (Onehunga), T. J. E. Pitts (Dunedin), W. L. J. Pleasants (Palmerston North), Sapper B. Polkinghorne (Auckland), missed the boat en route.

Sapper J. F. Rowlands (Auckland), Corporal L. Turner (Auckland), in charge of tV party; Signalier K. Von LubLe (Auckland), Lance-Corporal J. H. Williams (Auckland), Private J. $. Yarnton (Auckland).