Northlander On Gambia In Tokio Bay

Northern Advocate, 5 September 1945, Page 4

Northlander On Gambia In Tokio Bay

Northland was “represented” at the Japanese surrender in Tokio Bay on Sunday. This fact was revealed in a broadcast from H.M.N.Z.S. Gambia, relayed through the British battleship H.M.S. Duke of York, last night. The Northlander was Warrant-Officer Kirkwood son of Mrs C. Kirkwood, of Onerahi. Warrant-Officer Kirkwood spoke during the relay together with a number of other members of the crew. A former pupil of the Whangarei High School, he left school at the age of 16 and joined the Navy. Now 30 years of age, he has travelled the world in various ships. He saw much action in the Solomons, where he was wounded.

At the actual signing on U.S.S Missouri, Lieut. J. D. Allingham, of Auckland, was the only New Zealander present, apart from Air Vice Ma’’shal L. M. Isitt, who signed for the Dominion.

Lieut. Allingham was chosen as aide to Air Vice Marshal Isitt, and was present on the quarterdeck throughout the ceremony. In his broadcast he mentioned that as each Allied representative prepared to sign the document he was given two pens, one of which he retained, while'handing the other to his personal aide. When it came to Air Vice Marshal Isitt's turn, however, there were no more pens and bo was compelled to use his own. “I was therefore the unlucky aide,” Lieutenant Allingham said. Landing Party Ashore During the broadcast it was stated that a landing party from the Gambia had gone ashore with the other Allied forces. After receiving elementary instruction in unarmed combat. they embarked in landing barges alongside the Gambia. This was not an easy operation, as it was done in mid-ocean in a fairly boisterous sea. and the men in the landing party, who were in khaki tropical kit. wore full equipment.

Olfier points of interest in the broadcast were descriptions of various duties of personnel at action stations. One able-seaman gave a vivid account of Japanese suicide planes in action, some of which hit an aircraft-carrier near the Gambia, and one of which came verv close to the Gambia herself.

A Maori seaman from Opotiki also spoke during the broadcast, so that both pakehas and Maoris, who did so much to achieve final victory, were represented at the downfall of the last enemy.

The Gambia, which on Friday, August 31. moved up into Tokio Bay and anchored off Yokohama not far from the battleships Missouri and Duke of York, has the distinction of serving in operations in this area for longer than any other British ship except the British battleship King George V.