N.Z. EX-PRISONERS

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1945, Page 5

N.Z. EX-PRISONERS

First Arrivals by Air FROM JAPAN AND MALAYA AUCKLAND, Sept. 20. The first New Zealanders to be brought back from Japanese prisoner of war camps in Malaya and Japan arrived at Auckland to-day. T. hey were all servicemen. Twelve came from Singapore in a Royal N.Z - Air Foyce transport. Three arrived by a Tasman Empire Airways flyingboat. _ T Three British soldiers with New Zealand wives, came with the larger party. Most of the men were in u'apanese hands from early in 1942. Behind them stretch more than three veai-s of daily privation, brutality and loneliness. These unnatural conditions became so much £. part of their lives, some of them said, that in time it became completely natural. Beatings became so much a commonplace that they were scarcely noticed by those who on that particular day did not receive them. There, however, were but few outward signs among these men when they arrived at Auckland to indicate what they had endured. They were dressed in hurriedly issued uniforms, which were not always meant for their own individual inches. They seemed to be incredibly well and strong. Much of this was explained by feeding and care they have received in the past few weeks. Many put on two stone in the first fortnight after the surrender. Most of them added another half stone to their weight on the flight to New Zealand. Nine of the men who arrived were soldiers, five were airmen, and four were sailors or naval air arm pilots. They were looked after by the service to which they belonged, and were allowed to leave for their homes as soon as they wished once they had been given a clean bill of health. NAMES OF THE ARRIVALS A KOTUKU AIRMAN P.A. AUCKLAND, Sept. 20 The men who have arrived after being brought out of Japanese prisoner of war camps represent a fraction of those now on their way home. at is expected that another Air Force transport will arrive within the next few 'days, probably on Saturday and other parties will come later. The three Naval officers who arrived by a Tasman Airways flying boat are: Surgeon Lieutenant Commander J. A. Page, R.N. of Takapuna; Lieutenant (A) J. G. Godwin, R.N.Z.N.V.R., of Blenheim; and Lieutenant (A) S. C. Parker, R. of Oamaru. The New Zealand'ers who arrived by the R.N.Z.A.F. transport were: Sergeant Allan Edwards, R.N.Z.N. of Wellington; Staff Sergeant R. New-ton-King, of Paengaroa; Sergeants S. W. Peers, of Papakura; R. B. Andrew of Dunedin; G. Ravenwood, of Dunedin; Private M. A. Brennan of Palmerston North; Sappers S. A. Anderson of Dunedin; Warrant Officer J. G. Vibert of Auckland; Leading Aircraftsman E. E. Sergeant, of Gisborne; W. E. Dense of Kotuku;' E Doherty of Ngapara; and S. U. Meredith of Palmerston North. Three Englishmen in the party were Lieutenant C. A. McArthur, Regimental Sergeant Major P. L. Cooper, and Lance Corporal W. R. Metherell. Another Aucklander Sergeant R l . O. Williams, was also expected to arrive However it was found’ that lie had left 4he plane at. Brisbane, and was to be flown to Sydney, where his wife has been living since his internment.