Chapter XIX.
Garrison Life.

With all the hard usage and rough marching the footware with which the troops had been issued soon became a problem, and the want of clothing also became a pressing one. Two pairs of boots and one uniform per man had not been sufficient to stand up to the strain, and it soon became impossible to turn out the whole of the troops serviceably uniformed. The Mills Webb equipment also came in for criticism, the ammunition carriers soon showing signs of wear through friction of the clipped ammunition, and the dome-fasteners became liable to be rubbed open in handling the rifle. The haversacks hung too low, and pressing on the bayonet caused chafing of legs and impeded progress.

The climate played havoc with the bulk foodstuffs, and large quantities which had become weevil-infested or mouldy through the humid climate had to be destroyed. Tents rapidly perished and all in use had to be doubled to keep out the heavy rains. The horses, too, became badly infected with the tropical tona, as well as lampas, the latter caused through the hard feed, and bran proving too heating. This diet was largely substituted by mummy apple—a much-appreciated delicacy—and green fodder and hay.

Early in October a mounted troop for patrol work was formed, and a call made for men who had previously served in mounted rifles or cavalry met with a ready response. Sergt. F. H. Anderson was appointed to the command with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

The Hospital, which had been a gift of a German millionaire to the town of Apia, was a large, airy bungalow building, the cool wards opening onto wide verandahs. Here the medical officers, nursing sisters and orderlies of the N.Z.M.C. were kept very busily occupied, and despite the epidemics of various tropical illnesses and the virulent form of dysentery, all patients page 113

Transport.

The Mounted Patrol. Photo by A. J. Tattersall, Apia.

page 114made good recoveries, and rejoiced in the tender care of the sisters, the cool quarters, and well-cooked foods, all in striking contrast to the living conditions of the various units.

Dysentery increased in October, but most cases yielded to ordinary treatment. The average stay in hospital was about ten days. Dengue fever also began to get its grip upon the troops.

The Dental Officers were busy in an effort to overhaul the mouths of all men before they moved on, but this work was considerably hampered through lack of material and instruments.

The 5th Regiment were all out of their tents and under permanent shelters before 1st November. The latter included the native houses, the school buildings, and a large newly-erected building dubbed "the barn." Other units had also been placed in permanent cover, and the barracks had been completed at Vaea for the Aucklanders. This, together with improved sanitation, led to a large decrease in sickness, and the general use of mosquito nets, which had by this time become possible, soon brought about a diminution of dengue fever.

A large number of men during November became attacked with a slight but nevertheless most unpleasant and irritating complaint known to the troops as Dhobie Itch (Tinea Cruris), and swelled the ranks of the sick parades of sufferers in search of soothing lotions.

Enteric fever also showed itself, and the second inoculation, which had not up to that time been possible, was hurriedly performed on all ranks.

On the "Tofua," which arrived about this time, came some of the wives of officers, but the O.C. Force would not sanction their landing on the grounds that it was inadvisable in view of the unsettled state of affairs in the Territory.

By the outgoing return steamer a further draft left for New Zealand in charge of Captain W. H. D. Bell, Orderly Officer, who had been recalled for duty with his Regiment—King Edward Horse. They were the envy of all, for the monotony of the life was telling its tale, and the one great desire was to be moving on.

Fifth (Wellington) Machine Gunners. Photo by A. J. Tattersall, Apia.

No trouble occurred at any time during the occupation between the troops and the natives. But with 1400 armed men, many of them very young and inexperienced in the ways of the natives, the possibility of a clash between small sections was ever present.

The Samoans are noted warriors, and beneath their placid exterior are always ready for a fight. The tombstones erected at Mulinu'u to the memory of the British, United States and German marines who fell in the wars of 1888 and 1899 stand in mute testimony to their skill in battle, and the thousands of brawny men to be seen on a gala day marching four deep into the town, chanting their weird songs, dressed only in their loin cloth of native tapa and their bare bodies shining with coconut oil, bring a realisation of their latent power.

Though the great majority of the natives were in sympathy with the British occupation, it was inevitable that the change of Government should be accompanied by a certain measure of unrest. The general world upheaval had its effect on the native mind, and several minor disputes arose in outlying villages between partisans of the British and of the Germans, and the troops were called out on several occasions to keep the peace.

On one occasion in Apia two men of different villages quarrelled; supporters from both sides joined in, and were separated only after one had received a dangerous wound in the back from a plantation knife—the favourite weapon of the Samoan. The injured man's family were not to be denied their revenge. On the following morning bands of natives, with blackened faces and wearing other insignia of war, were assembling in the vicinity.

The Wellingtons moved promptly through the Magiagi plantation. Other units acted in conformity, with mounted picquets in the town area. Bands of natives armed with spears, knives and clubs, were rounded up and disarmed, and the opposing chiefs were brought before the O.C. Force, as a result of which a reconciliation was soon effected.

Such prompt and decisive action on the part of Colonel Logan, and the just manner of the settlement by him of native page 117disputes, brought their own reward and all troubles of this description soon ceased.

On the night of 5th November a large party of troops, headed by a spirited contingent from the Signallers, foregathered to celebrate the anniversary. Guy Fawkes was duly burned in the presence of a huge "crocodile" parade, in which Samoan and "fitafita" joined hands and rendered "Auld Lang Syne" with great gusto.

On the 9th November the Palolo, that curious coral worm which makes its appearance but once a year, brought an assembly of fishermen on the lagoon, off Matautu Point, before daylight to await the "rise." As morning broke it came from the reefs and, rising slowly, soon covered the surface of the water, and was scooped up in myriads by means of small hand nets. The presence of a school of sharks created a diversion at sunrise, but the natives were in no way alarmed, and dozens of the young men swam about heedless of danger.

The monotony of the garrison life had now begun to make a mark upon the men, but great news was in store. Scarcely had lights-out sounded on 9th November than cheering broke out at the Guard tent. Enquiring heads popped out of every shelter, followed immediately by scantily-clothed bodies, and, like wildfire, the news ran through the camps that a naval engagement had been fought, and the "Scharnhorst" and "Gneisenau" had been sunk in action by Admiral Sturdee off the Falklands. Cheer upon cheer could be heard in the night air, becoming fainter as the news travelled to the more remote camps. Half-naked men rushed everywhere, all discipline relaxed, and King Revelry reigned. Torch lights and improvised nerve-wracking "bands" appeared as if by magic, and headed by the 5th Wellington Band, the most weird and boisterous procession ever witnessed in the calm and peaceful streets of Apia proceeded towards the Hospital, where, in addition to numbers of the rank and file, lay Lieut-Col. Turner and Major Fulton.

Through the town careered the defence lorries packed with rejoicing troops, while the citizens of Apia, warm-hearted and page 118

Fifth (Wellington) Regiment Band.

page 119hospitable, made open house and worthily assisted in celebrating the great event.

Meantime, in their own particular way, the officers had also been celebrating. The comfortable and cool quarters of the British Club, and the wide breeze-swept verandahs of the Central Hotel had not been forbidden them!

Far into the night the fun continued fast and furious, and many a man lay down to rest in the early hours of the morning happy in the belief that his days of travail in Samoa were nearing an end.

But the day of relief for rank and file had not yet come, and the weeks dragged wearily on. On 19th November Major Matthew Holmes, P.M.O., was recalled to New Zealand, and he was followed on 26th of the same month by Major W. R. Pinwill, Chief Staff Officer and Captain T. R. Eastwood, A.D.C. With them also went Captains R. L. Evatt and R. W. Wilkinson, of the 5th Regiment, and Lieut. Davies, P. and T. Company. At the same time Major B. Head (2nd in command) and Captain R. B. Neill (Adjutant), both of the 5th (Wellington) Regiment, obtained their recall by first opportunity to rejoin their respective regiments in the British Army.

Lieut.-Col. C. Harcourt Turner, O.C. 5th Regiment, who, early in December, had had the misfortune to be thrown from his trap and sustain a broken leg, was evacuated to New Zealand, leaving on 24th December.

This brought about a rearrangement of staffs. Captain H. H. Wright became General Staff Officer and Adjutant-General, Captain J. G. Roache, 5th Regiment, succeeded Captain Wright as A.Q.M.G., and Lieut. H. C. Cotton succeeded Captain Eastwood. Major J. A. Cowles commanded the 5th with Major R. St. J. Beere as second in command, and Lieut. C. K. Gascoigne as Adjutant.

Major C. M. Dawson arrived on 25th November as P.M.O. in place of Major Holmes, and soon endeared himself to all ranks. He had also an established place in the hearts of the natives with whom he had had wide experience in other Pacific Islands.