TRIBUTE TO NEW ZEALANDERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22789, 13 January 1944, Page 3

TRIBUTE TO NEW ZEALANDERS

Killed In Pacific

First Memorial Unveiled

Tire first memorial erected to men of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, killed in the Pacific, was unveiled before a large gathering of New Zealand and American troops by Major G. H. Turner, Officer Commanding the unit to which the men belonged, states the “Kiwi News.” The simple memorial, which is of white concrete, stands on the palm-fringed coral shore, and honours the names of 19 New Zealanders who were killed on this spot on October 1, 1943. The names include Temporary Sergeant M. J. Healy (Temuka) and Gunner J. A. McMahon (Timaru). Eleven of the men comprised an anti-aircraft gun-crew of a landing vessel which was unloading at the beach when Japanese dive-bombers made a sudden attack. Gallantly the New Zealanders stuck to their post until a bomb struck the gun position, most of the crew and four other men being killed. The unveiling service was opened by an American Navy band playing the selection, being followed by the singing of hymns, an address by Chaplain Captain G. R. Thompson, and the unveiling of the memorial by Major Turner.

Two survivors of the ill-fated guncrew, Gunners W. G. Donnely and S. Hill, placed a fern wreath on the memorial and the Last Post was sounded.

“We honour the memory of these gallant men,” said Chaplain Thompson. “There are parents, wives, and sweethearts who remember with sadness their last memory of their dear ones. We pray that they may have solace in their sorrows. We salute these men who have left us, and we trust that we may be worthy of their great sacrifice.”