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Shovel Sword and Scalpel: A record of service of medical units of the second New Zealand expeditionary force in the Pacific

I — Preliminaries to Active Service

page 150

I
Preliminaries to Active Service

The Con Depot was born at Papakura Military Camp on 28 March, 1943, without the aid of even one medical officer; a hybrid medical unit destined to be staffed mainly by members of the infantry corps. We were housed in E block, but even that muddy and coldly unsympathetic environment failed to dishearten those of us who were pioneering this mystery unit. Our war establishment had been based on that of a similar British unit, but we had yet to learn that it would demand many changes and modifications. It was some weeks before a commanding officer was appointed, but the provisional adjutant, Captain W. Mackie, assisted by the officers, commenced a careful selection of staff from NZEF reinforcements then in camp, and so the formation of the 2nd NZ Convalescent Depot gradually took shape.

Still with only vague ideas of our future duties, the newly-selected personnel enthusiastically organised raffles and invited donations for the purchase of sports equipment. The nucleus of a library was collected and musical instruments commandeered. Although we were subsequently well provided with all these requirements from official sources, this initial effort did far more than merely gather equipment, for it fostered and developed a real unit spirit which was to prove such an invaluable asset, both during our period of training in New Zealand and page 151later, when we commenced service with the Third Division in the Pacific.

On 25 May we were ordered to move to Trentham. This was a false alarm to many of the staff, as rumour indicated that we were at last 'on the way.' We were not sorry to be leaving E block, which lacked the amenities of other parts of the camp, and it was a grand excuse for levity and celebration. We packed until a late hour on the night prior to our departure, but this did not preclude an occasional adjournment to revive flagging spirits.

The wisdom of our move to Trentham was soon apparent. First, we were able to take full advantage of specialist training for all members of the staff. Second, we were on the spot to contact the authorities directly responsible for our war establishment and the issue of unit equipment, which was, by this time, assuming large proportions. Much might be recorded of our stay at Trentham. As so often happens, we were not expected there on the day of our arrival owing to some hitch in the paper warfare. However, the other ranks were quartered under the grandstand on the racecourse, while the officers were provided with morning tea in one block, lunch in another, afternoon tea in a third, and finally took root in a fourth. Still, as someone wisely remarked, they were paid for it. Subsequently we were allotted huts and stores in the No. 3 Training Battalion area, and there we remained while at Trentham.

It was not until early in June that Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. H. Wood, NZMC, was appointed commanding officer of the depot. Lieutenant-Colonel Wood had first conceived the idea of remedial training when men of the first and second echelons were being mobilised at Papakura, and, as senior medical officer of the camp, he had devised a course of treatment which had enabled a large percentage of previously unfit men to proceed overseas. He later established similar training at the Remedial Camp, Rotorua, and carried on the work of turning out healthier soldiers and citizens. When he joined us his enthusiasm for the new task ahead proved infectious, and we soon became ardent disciples in the quest for physical fitness.

The stack of carefully numbered cases in our store grew in direct relation to the frequent Wellington visits of the commanding officer and the quartermaster, Lieutenant S. H. Williams— the latter as ever 'happy in his work.' The other ranks became page 152involved in duties on the Wellington wharves as their training courses finished—a novelty that soon wore off when they discovered that they were waterside workers without their pay and privileges, for at that time no provision had been made to allow soldiers additional pay when engaged on such work.

We were brought up to strength at Trentham, a number of appointments being filled from the remedial camp staff. Strangely enough our inadequate war establishment provided for as many padres as medical officers—an unintentional reflection we hope— but all vacancies were filled eventually, with the exception of the three padres. At last, after the usual run of embarkation rumours and an additional final leave, we bade a joyous farewell to Trentham on 19 August 1943. It was a typically drizzly Trentham day for our departure, but that did not dampen our spirit, and the resounding chorus of men's lusty voices raised in song brought the local residents to their doors as we marched to the railway station.

We negotiated the steep gangway of the USS Tryon at Auckland on Friday morning, 20 August 1943, and, apart from the loss of a steel helmet, which Sergeant-Major Norm Boyce donated to the Harbour Board, embarkation was safely completed by midday. We sailed the following morning. Our quarters were good and the trip was a happy one, which passed all too quickly, for, after the inevitable last minute rush associated with our departure, it came as a welcome break from responsibilities and duties.

Monday evening found us in Noumea Harbour, with ample evidence of allied naval might around us, and early on Tuesday morning we transferred our belongings and ourselves to the barges, which conveyed us to the landing. Then followed what seemed to be the longest, dustiest, craziest, most hair-raising journey ever to be inflicted on the uninitiated. We did learn afterwards that the dust was inevitable and the drivers were experienced, but, even with these known factors, that ride on the back of an open six-by-four truck left much to be desired.

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The Governor-General of New Zealand, Marshal of the koyal Air Force Sir Cyril New ALL l, watches a physical training class at the 2nd Convalescent Depot, m New Caledonia. Occupational therapy proved a most valuable aid in refitting sick and wounded" for return to active duty. Below is a class in progress in the arts and crafts bare at the convalescent depot

The Governor-General of New Zealand, Marshal of the koyal Air Force Sir Cyril New ALL l, watches a physical training class at the 2nd Convalescent Depot, m New Caledonia. Occupational therapy proved a most valuable aid in refitting sick and wounded" for return to active duty. Below is a class in progress in the arts and crafts bare at the convalescent depot

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This well-appointed kitchen at Kalavere Hospital, Now calcdonia, is a distinct contrast to that of the 4th MAC at Moindah. Below is a picture of the administrative block of the 2nd Convalesceul Depot and Kalavere Hospital, taken before the Division returned to New Zealand from the Pacific

This well-appointed kitchen at Kalavere Hospital, Now calcdonia, is a distinct contrast to that of the 4th MAC at Moindah. Below is a picture of the administrative block of the 2nd Convalesceul Depot and Kalavere Hospital, taken before the Division returned to New Zealand from the Pacific

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Americans bequeathed the concrete floor, New Zealanders Luili the niaouli framework and native Kanakas thatched the roof of this recreation hut al the 2nd Convalescent Depot. Below is a glimpse of the lagoon at Nissan Island with some of the small craft in which the men spent a great part of their leisure when active operations 'had ceased

Americans bequeathed the concrete floor, New Zealanders Luili the niaouli framework and native Kanakas thatched the roof of this recreation hut al the 2nd Convalescent Depot. Below is a glimpse of the lagoon at Nissan Island with some of the small craft in which the men spent a great part of their leisure when active operations 'had ceased

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Tanges of thick vines hound together the dam trees and fleshy undergrowth on Nissan. This photograph indicates dearly the density ol the jungle in which the New Zealanders erected their tents and set to work to make their camps

Tanges of thick vines hound together the dam trees and fleshy undergrowth on Nissan. This photograph indicates dearly the density ol the jungle in which the New Zealanders erected their tents and set to work to make their camps