HOMELY INTERLUDE FOR MR. FRASER

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 83, 25 July 1941, Page 3

HOMELY INTERLUDE FOR MR. FRASER

With N.Z. Foresters In

England

Standing on a log at a New Zealand constructed and designed sawmill in Wiltshire, Mr. Fraser talked to 200 men of the New Zealand Forestry Unit for half an hour, telling them of the experiences of “our mates” in the Middle East.

The men, leaning on their rifles and. smoking, listened attentively. Mr. Fraser shook hands with everyone.

Mr. Fraser, in his shirt sleeves, and Mr. Jordan were photographed sawing a log. A roar of laughter greeted a wag’s query, “Are you happy in your work?” A bigger roar followed Mr. Jordan’s unhesitating reply: “No, we want New Zealand tobacco.” This rejoinder delighted the men, who sent a deputation to Mr. Fraser to discuss the shortage of tobacco and other subjects, including their desire for a transfer to the Middle East.

Mr. Fraser next visited a mill in Gloucestershire and was greeted by Field-Marshal Birdwood, who lives nearby, and is a frequent visitor to the camp. Mr. Fraser shook hands with 50 queued-up men and repeated his talk. These men also sent a deputation to the Prime Minister with similar requests.

Field-Marshal Birdwood said: “I know the New Zealand troops jolly well. There are no better in the world. 1 was not surprised at their behaviour in Greece.”

■ Mr. Fraser later met newly-arrived New Zealand airmen at an operational training unit where they are learning to fly Welljjigton bombers. En route to Swansea he called on Lord and Lady Bledisloe at Lydney Park.

At Bristol Mr. Fraser talked to a woman who had been four times bombed out of her home and had narrowly escaped with her life. She smilingly greeted Mr. Fraser, who com mented: “You Bristol people are making history today. There is no doubt of the war’s outcome while the (blitzed cities of Britain maintain their unconquerable spirit.”