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I
The Beginning

In April, 1943, at a time when the Kiwi expansion force was being mobilised in great haste, there marched into the Medical Training Depot, Trentham, some 70 other ranks who formed the nucleus of the 2nd NZ Casualty Clearing Station. For some weeks prior to this Lieutenant G. F. Tegg, who became the unit quartermaster, had been gathering equipment together. Men began to march into the CCS from territorial units throughout New Zealand, and, with a group from the remnants of the 21st Light Field Ambulance, came Lieutenant W. F. Green, who became our adjutant. Major J. Dempsey, NZMC, who had already seen service with the Second Division, was temporarily appointed commanding officer, and by the time more medical officers joined the unit the strength of other ranks was up to war establishment.

Equipment came to hand very well, with the result that the unit was able to leave New Zealand with very few shortages. Supplies of stationery, medical text books, and sports gear were ample, and a grant was made by the National Patriotic Fund Board towards our regimental funds. During the nine weeks' training in Trentham full advantage was taken of the opportunity to train nursing orderlies at the Wellington Public Hospital. There rapid progress was made in more ways than one, as was evidenced later by the number of nurses' photographs which found prominence on tent walls in the quietness of Guadalcanal.

By 21 June, 1943, the unit was standing by awaiting orders page 122for embarkation. Equipment had already been stored on the Wellington wharves ready for shipping. The final night in Trentham Camp was in full accord with the recognised practice of soldiers leaving their country. At about half-past eight a frantic camp sergeant-major startled our adjutant by declaring, 'You'd better get over to your men's lines—they've gone mad.' Investigation proved this statement to be somewhat exaggerated, but the men were certainly in a particularly playful mood after spending a couple of hours in the wet canteen.

On 21 June, 1943. in pouring rain, we embarked on a US transport. Thus an entirely new unit was launched into a future unknown—112 men, all new pals, all new to active service conditions, but all willing workers and determined to do whatever called upon. Medical officers who formed the first of the unit's medical staff were Major Dempsey, commanding officer, Major C. L. E. L. Sheppard, whom we lost on transfer shortly after arrival in New Caledonia, Captains G. F. Rich, C. G. D. Halstead, A. M. Hartnell, and R. G. McDonald. These officers all embarked with the unit, but there were changes to come. To the men in the unit who had spent several years in camps in New Zealand the feeling of a deck underfoot brought long-awaited satisfaction. Those who were new to army life were filled with expectation. There was no dissatisfaction—the food was good, the quarters were more spacious than anticipated, and the crew were pleasant fellows with whom to fraternise. The ship's canteen was made available to its, and it held ample cigarettes, cigars, sweets, and fountain pens. We all decided that life at sea was worthwhile— and then the ship sailed after five days' standing by in Wellington Harbour! For two days almost everyone was seasick, some slightly, others helplessly, but during this period was fostered the spirit of comradeship which prevailed until the shores of New Zealand were again reached long months later.