SOLDIERS' EFFECTS

Hutt News, Volume 18, Issue 2, 14 June 1944, Page 2

SOLDIERS' EFFECTS

# KKTUItX TO \l \r()! -lvl\ When a soldier on active service dies, all recoverable personal effects are returned to the next-of-kin in New Zealand. Inevitably as a result of the many hazards to which they are exposed, loss of some and occasionally all of a soldier's personal Effects may occur. For the, information of civilians who have no real understanding of the many causes that may result in a soldier's possessions going astray, the following summary has been made of a report from the Effects Section, a base mv' responsible for handling all personal effects.

Losses are always difficult to explain to those who have had no personal experience in modern war, and. in consequence, find it difficult to appreciate the grave risks to wlra man and his belongings are constantly exposed, the report states. The safest place for soldiers whr are about to enter a battle area to leave objects of value is in the ' which they leave behind at base camp, but frequently such useful objects as fountain pens, special type razors, and watches, and objects of sentimental value such as next-of-kin photographs and rings, commonly accompany the soldier into battle and are therefore exposed to the same risks as he runs himself. If the soldier is killed there are many reasons, why his personal effects may go astray before they can be placed in the custody of the Effects Section. They may be removed by enemy troops or by natives of (ho country in which the action is being fought, or they may be taken by a member of his own unit who intends to hand them to the proper authorities hut who himself becomes a casualty before that is done. They may be lost when temporarily separated from th ? owner—i.e., when carried in a platoon truck which is blown up by enemy shell fire or bombing. In some circumstances it has become an urgent military necessity to destroy vehicles containing soldiers' gear in order to prevent their falling into enemy hands. On one occasion even kits left at Base (the forward base at Athens) had to be destroyed under these circumstances during the retreat in Greece.

Every unit headquarters has the immediate responsibility of recovering the personal effects of deceased Koldiers or soldiers taken prisoner, and forwarding them to the Effects Section at base: but frequently unit headquarters are situated long distances from base and in an area of the greatest danger, and are therefore quite unable to guarantee safe transit. The means of transit are likely to be subject 1o destruction or damage by enemy action over a large part of the route followed, and losses from that cause cannot be prevented It is during this stage of the long journey home that effects of a soldier run the greatest risk of loss or damage. There is also the constant risk of loss through carelessness or pilferage, which again is difficult to eliminate when the goods concerned must necessarily pass through many hands. At many of the docks civilian labour is employed to handle Army stores and other materials. In spite of close supervision there is still the danger of pilferage'. There is also good reason to be- ! lieve that many personal effects which next-of-kin anticipate will be returned have been disposed of by the soldier before he went into battle area. Few soldiers are not short of funds at some time or another, and watches, pens and so on are sometimes sold to meet this exigency. After a soldier's kit is delivered to the Effects Section, whether from his unit headquarters or from Base Kit Store, a very careful handling, check ing and perusal of its contents is carried out under the direct supervision of a responsible officer. All letters, printed material, and photo graphs are censored and Army ,ssue, equipment. Is withdrawn. Inquiries for missing articles instituted in New Zealand are quickly acted upon, but frequent changes in personnel through transfer to other units and casualties, often make it difficult, if not impossible, to find out what happened to the effects of a certain soldier who probably became a casualty some months before the inquiry reached the Middle East. In spite of the many hazards referred to, the losses are. under the circumstances, surprisingly light. Next-of-kin can rest, assured that every reasonable endeavour is made (o ensure that personal effects are returned to them intact.