page break

Foreword

By Lieutenant-Colonel A. H. L. Sugden, NZSC

It is hoped that the contents of this volume will serve as a reminder in the future, to those who served in the 37th Battalion, of the days spent as a unit of the Third New Zealand Division. An attempt has been made to avoid as far as possible a dry official story, and to make the volume one which will have an honoured place in your homes, and which, when picked up random on a winter's evening, will bring back old associations and memories. I have had the privilege of commanding the battalion from the date of its birth in December, 1941, until its disbandment during the latter months of 1944. I would like to pay tribute to all who served in the baftalion. To all I would express my appreciation and thanks for the loyalty, courtesy, generous cooperation and support which were always forthcoming.

All institutions develop an 'atmosphere'—schools, business firms, sports clubs, and above all, homes; each has an individual personality and surrounds itself with a characteristic atmosphere. A unit on active service overseas becomes the home of its members, and, over a period of time, develops its atmosphere. I think our atmosphere can be summed up by the word contentment. In naval parlance, we have been a happy ship. I do not desire to paint a false picture and suggest that we have not had our share of moans and groans. We have. Things have not always gone as smoothly as all would wish and there were many occasions on which we were fed up to the back teeth and wished we were anywhere but where we happened to be at the moment. But, when one looks back to December, 1941, one is struck by the manner in which all ranks overcame difficulties and hardships and adapted themselves to the conditions pertaining at the time. Early in our service, through necessity, we adopted the motto 'Do it ourselves'. We preferred to carry out major works on our own initiative rather than wait the pleasure of the service which may have been expected to do those works. One recalls the roadpage breakinto Sambeto Camp which was constructed with picks and shovels, butchers 'and bakers' vans, sweat and a modicum of rude language. Also the road and bridges (coupled with the names of Captain Adams and Private Andrews) which gave us access to our camp in the Taom Valley. During our period of service we did not have all the opportunities for action we desired, but it can be safely said that our modest tasks were conscientiously and successfully completed.

When you are once more settled down in civil life, you may sit down and ponder and wonder what you have gained or lost during your period in the army. You have undoubtedly lost a lot, but if you think hard, you will realise that you have also gained a lot. You have experienced a comradeship which it is not possible to obtain in civil life. You have been forced to live in close companionship with each other, and that should have enabled you to find one of the most priceless of God's gifts—tolerance. You have had the opportunity of studying human nature and should know how to make allowances for the other fellow. You should have learned that there is good in everyone, even in the most selfish and illmannered of people. If you have learned to be tolerant, don't lose the gift, but take it forward with you into civil life and practise it. Your experiences have broadened your outlook on the world in general. Endeavour to keep that broad viewpoint and you will be able to contribute something more towards the welfare of the country for which you fought. To the mothers, fathers, wives, children and sweethearts of those of our number who have given their lives in service, we can offer only our sympathy, and assure them that our dead were all gathered in and are resting peacefully in a well-cared-for cemetery in New Caledonia.