Soldier Fighting Fire Overcome By Smoke

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30057, 15 February 1963, Page 11

Soldier Fighting Fire Overcome By Smoke

A Timaru infantryman, a member of C company of Canterbury Regiment, was overcome by smoke during the annual territorial force camp recently. The soldier, who was taking part in a field exercise at Lake Lyndon, was one of several who acted as beaters after a thunder flash had ignited the scrub. Four or five soldiers from the Canterbury Regiment and Otago-Sou th; and Regimen: were overcome by smoke and admitted to hospital at Burnham Camp. The soldier. Sergeant J. L. Lydiate, aged 37, of 55 Coonoor road, Timaru, lost

consciousness and was evacuated through the casualty clearing point, and through to the advance dressing station of toe Third Field Ambulance, and then to camp hospital at Burnfoam. Later he was admitted to Timaru Hospital. Sergeant Lydiate said a company ahead of them went into the attack to break up an ambush. “We heard firing and were told to debus and spread out. Two minutes later we were ordered to embus, and the convoy was told to close up. When we closed up we pulled up behind other trucks. The hill was eo fire, a thunder flash having aet the grass alight. “We were told to ’get cracking’ and get up the hill.

There was a strong wind blowing and the flames were travelling like an express train. About 180 acres were burnt, I was operating with my platoon on the lower part of the fire.

“We tackled it with ground sheets and shirts and small shovels. The wind was making it difficult, the grass was dry, and I remember falling twice. “Lance - Corporal P. McGrath, of Timaru, pulled me away from the fire. I came to and we went on until we had the lower part of the hull out and then an officer called for more men, as the fire was fierce. I went to the top where men had trapped the fire on top of the ridge. I saw one of my officers working away at the fire and the flames were engulfing the top of the gully. “I went down in the heat. I got up again and was standing by a bush. I saw flames in the grass. The wind changed and I got lost. The bush burst into flames and I sucked flame down inside, “The next thing I remember is talking to Sergeant C. Smith (Timaru) down the bill,” said Sergeant Lydiate. He said that his throat was swollen. His tongue was stuck to bis mouth and has lungs were sore after his experience.