13th November 1915
“It is the best send-off we have had they are so hospitable & friendly & did all they could for us & everyone seemed so pleased. It was one of the days we’ll never forget. At Lyttleton the wharf was crowded & they threw us up fruit etc & just as the boat was about to sail they threw up rolls of ribbon, they held one end & we caught the other & then as the ship moved out hundreds of ribbons tightened up & as the strain got too great one after another broke. The bands were playing & as they cheered & we cheered you couldn’t imagine a happier scene. A dozen motor launches accompanied us across the harbour & the tug came right out to the heads. As far as we could see, the crowd was still on the wharf waving their handkerchiefs & occasionally we would just catch the slightest sound of a cheer. A merrier or more contented lot never left N.Z.”
Len Shepard – Letter 13 – Trentham
Read full letter here.