With The Third Division In The Pacific

Northern Advocate, 3 October 1944, Page 4

With The Third Division In The Pacific

The story of the Third Division’s service and experiences in the Pacific was the topic of a very interesting address delivered by Mr. Ashton Kelly at the weekly luncheon of the Rotary Club today. Mr. Kelly was Y.M.C.A. field secretary attached to the division, and his first-hand observations regarding the New Zealand troops were listened to with keen interest. Descriptions of New Caledonia, Guadalcanal 1 , Vella Lavella, Bougainville, Treasury Island, etc., in the Solomons, were very informative, and Rotarians were given an insight into the climatic and other disabilities endured by the men of the division. Trbute To Troops Mr. Kelly paid a warm tribute to the troops who were ordered to the Pacific. He said that men who had undergone long and intense training found it very trying when forced to mark time while fighting was in progress in other areas where they would have liked to be. New Zealanders however, proved themselves to be good soldiers. They went where they were ordered, they did gladly whatever they were asked to do, and they bore themselves with credit in all circumstances.

One of the things which had good effect upon New Zealanders was a species of occupational therapy', men making beautiful articles from, wood, coconut shell and so on, and using only nail files and knives as tools. The results were astonishing. In the improvising of camp furniture and the general improvement of living conditions the men also showed ingenuity and adaptiveness of a high order. Mr. Kelly was loud in praise of the work done by American Sea-Bees, who, with the aid of machinery, worked wonders in the construction of roacfs, airfields and other requirements. They and the New Zealanders got on well together. The same could be said of the United States servicemen in general.