ON LEAVE IN LONDON

Camp News (Northern Command), Volume 1, Issue 16, 16 August 1940, Page 4

ON LEAVE IN LONDON

New Zealand Troops See “The Town” — LURE OF THE WAXWORKS \ ■ LONDON, July 16. . “Buckingham Palace and Madame Tussauds. They're the places we want to see.” This was the chief request of hundreds of New Zealanders of the second echelon who streamed into London on short leave this week. Train after train brought them flooding into the Strand and to their mecca, New Zealand House. '< It was Mr. Jordan, the High Commissioner, who promised, when he spoke at camp, that they would receive every attention. And London New Zealanders certainly excelled themselves to fulfil the promise. High officers commanding the men were I warm in their praise, and one of their chief desires was that “those at home” should be fully assured on this point. “The arrangements have been first class,” said a brigadier. “They could not have been better.” . Adelphi Theatre Taken. Actually New Zealand House was not the mecca that the troops expected. There was not enough accommodation So the New Zealand War Services Association rented the Adelphi Theatre, next door but one to the High Commissioner’s offices, and they did everything possible to see that “the boys” enjoyed their London leave. Mr. Jordan was there to meet them, and every member of the committee and many voluntary New Zealand workers gathered in full force. Among them was Mrs. Freyberg, wife of General B. C. Freyberg. Recently returned from Egypt, she brought many happy memories of parties and entertainments for the troops in Cairo. One of her chief pleasures was to entertain a party of 25 convalescents from the hospital each week. The main entrance hall and booking office of the Adelphi were converted into a general meeting place. The men were met, their inquiries heard and answered. At the ticket offices they were given seats for theatres and cinemas at reduced rates, told where a dance was fixed for them, directed to board and lodgings, and invited and encouraged to put down their names for sightseeing tours of ‘“the town” —for. London is just “the town” to the ’ New Zealanders. \ The Chamber of Horrors. Arrangements made, they set out to see the sights. Some were definite in their desires, and the reputation of the Chamber of Horrors had undoubted attractions. Others were more vague and “just wanted to see the town.” Gunner A. Davis (Huntly), for instance, was prepared to be interested in anything. With Gunner S. Crighton (Wyndham) and Driver S. L. Rae (Sydney), he walked many pavemented miles. “If we see anything that interests us,” he said, “we have a look at it. If we don’t care for the look of it, we just don’t worry.” He was hazy about definite opinions. “Everything’s just grand,” he de- ! Glared. ■ Cheerful Workers. The Adelphi was the rendezvous for New Zealand sailors and airmen as well as for the newly-arrived troops. One

group of ratings, tired of them iug streets, sank in the soft chair the. auditorium . and were com rest in the dark. Presently ' were put on for them, and they until -a restlessness, to see ■ London returned. Then they! in a body for Madame Tussaui the Chambers of Horrors, a Imo a bus to overflowing as they onboard. V At the Adelphi Theatre ijieml the association worked had cheerfully. They all agreed ously on one point: that the Miss Jean 'McKenzie, had s amazing tact, organizing ability tirelessness.