BACK FROM PACIFIC

Grey River Argus, 27 November 1943, Page 6

BACK FROM PACIFIC

54 N.Z. Soldiers SICK AND ACCIDENT CASES. AUCKLAND, Nov. 26. A draft of 54 soldiers from the 2nd N.Z.E.F. in the Pacific, who have been invalided for various reasons, ha s returned to New Zealand. Many of. the men have been in forward areas, and some have fought against Japanese. Only one of the party, however, was wounded in action. The remainder are suffering from various types of sikness, or are accident cases. i i Private D. C. Murton, of Ellerslie, is the only battle casualty. He was wounded on Vella Lavella during tne New Zealander’s advance into the jungle. He was a member of a party ambushed by Japanese, and was wounded in the right shoulder by a machine-gun bullet. Private Murton served with a battalion commanded bv Lieut.-Colonel Seaward, who has won the Distinguished Service Order on the island. Murton said he was about three miles into the jungle when a Japanese machine gun opened fire, and he was hit with one of the first bursts. , . . x • Also among those who returned, although on special, leave, and not included among, the men needing medical attention, was Gunner C. B. Trigg, of Kaitaia. brother of the late Flying Officer L. A. Tri gw New Zealand’s most recent Victoria’ Cross winner. i ’

The party was welcomed on arrival by Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs; Hon. D. Wilson, Minister of Broadcasting; and civic and Returned Services Association representatives. All those classed as sick or wounded were medically examined immediately after arrival, and arrangements were made to send them to their homes as quickly as possible. Although they seemed, to be sorry to have left their comrades, the men were glad to be back in New Zealand. Their impressions of t'he. islands where they have - been, especially of those an the forward areas, appeared to be of a mixture of heat, jungle,- and mosquitoes. Those who had served in action said they had found the Japanese tough fighters, although they said that the enemy were aided, very considerably bv protection they received from thick jungle. But they had no doubt about their own ability to beat them. %..... There are no West Coast men among the draft. - - .