 In late June or early July 1940 the 28th ( Māori ) Battalion was attached to a mixed brigade under Brigadier Harold Barrowclough . During this time they manned defences in the south of England and undertook further training . The battalion suffered from a lack of equipment , largely due to the priority given to re @-@ equip British units following the losses suffered by the British Expeditionary Force in France , and consequently training was largely focused upon anti @-@ gas procedures and route marching . On 6 July they were inspected by King George VI and he was said to have been impressed by the " smartness of the close order and arms drill of the Māori Battalion " and " by the fine physique , keenness and determined demeanour " of the men . 
