MILITARY RECORDS SAVED

Evening Star, Issue 25927, 19 October 1946, Page 6

MILITARY RECORDS SAVED

FIRE IN J-FORCE BARRACKS MERITORIOUS CONDUCT OF CHRISTCHURCH PRIVATE (Official N.Z. Correspondent with J.-Force.) CHOFIT, October 16. The meritorious conduct of a New Zealander of the 27th Battalion, Private J. Porter, of Christchurch, who “ woriked with disregard for his own personal property, and safety ” during a fire which completely destroyed a large company barracks building at'. Yamaguchi camp three weeks ago, has been placed on record by the commander of 2nd N.Z.E.F., Brigadier L. Potter. A special entry in 2nd N.Z.E.F. orders says that due entirely to Private Porter’s efforts the complete. records of his company were saved. The fire, which began in the cookhouse, destroyed the building completely within 30 minutes and caused the most serious loss in equipment that the 2nd N.Z.E.F. has suffered -in Japan. Disregarding the, risk of being caught in the smoke which quickly filled the second floor, Porter ran through the building to see if all the men :were clear. He was ordered out, but returned immediately to save the company records. _ ' .. The fire was sweeping across two walls of the orderly room, but Porter continued to throw file drawers full of papers outside. He was again ordered out of the building, and was seen manning a hose in a place which the fire brigade considered unsafe. Brigadier Potter congratulated Porter and directed that his action should be recorded in his personal records.