IV
The Organisation and Work of a Convalescent Depot

By this time the number of patients, both in the convalescent depot and hospital, was showing a steady increase. As there was a possibility of a large number of battle casualties and malaria cases from the division to be catered for, the deputy director of medical services decided to expand our hospital to 150 beds to provide hospital services for the base area and thus to leave the 4th General Hospital at Noumea free to care for divisional casualties.

Shortly after our arrival at Kalavere we had erected hospital expanding tents as wards, each capable of accommodating 20 beds, and, by the end of November, two of these were in use. Medical cases from nearby camps were admitted to us, but surgical cases were still sent to the general hospital rear detachment at Boguen, some 30 miles away. We had by now admitted our first divisional casualties to the convalescent depot, and our plans for aiding the recovery of combat troops suffering from the effects of wounds, tropical diseases, and illnesses which were often more nervous or mental rather than physical, were being thoroughly tested.

While it was essential that adequate control should be exercised over patients in the depot, we dispensed with unnecessary regimentation as far as possible. After all, our principal job in life was to turn out fit bodies, and our training was so designed that it should not impose a mental burden on a patient already suffering a physical disability. A detailed procedure for admission of patients had been planned before we left New Zealand. page 158and experience proved that this required little or no modification. New admissions arrived by ambulance in batches of up to -30 at a time, and were immediately taken to their tents, where they were allotted beds—each with a mattress and pillow. This latter detail may appear unimportant, but it was much appreciated by men who had not completely recovered from illness or injury. After depositing their belongings, they were taken to the admission and discharge office for registration, and each man was then questioned and examined by the duty medical officer, who placed him, according to his condition, in one of four categories for remedial training. Next followed a chat by the occupational therapy officer, who outlined the activities available to convalescents during their stay in the depot, and, from there, Sergeant-Major Jack Lilley or Staff-Sergeant Ted Clothier detailed the men to their various squads and answered any questions regarding their physical training. Those who were short of clothing were given an opportunity of visiting the quartermaster's store, and Captain Beresford carried out routine dental examinations.

Lieutenants Hobson and Morris administered the specialised physical training, and under them was a staff of sergeant instructors, all of whom had had experience of similar work in New-Zealand. Each category was divided into squads formed of those suffering from the same type of disability, and in this way a useful competitive spirit between patients was introduced, the men rivalling one another to see who could first perform an exercise. In the early stages exercises were gentle in character and in some cases actually assisted, though here again it was better to encourage a patient to assist himself rather than to rely on others. As he improved the exercises were made more difficult and strenuous, until he came to take a real pride in performing them correctly—thus taking the fullest possible interest in his own cure.

Organised games had a valuable place in the training syllabus, for not only do they provide good recreation and promote general physical wellbeing, but they help to develop freedom and spontaneity of movement, making the patient forget his injury in the excitement of the game. We were fortunate in having an excellent swimming pool and reasonably large recreation areas, so that almost every kind of outdoor sport which was not too violent could be introduced. Swimming, baseball, basket – page 159ball, cricket, softball, medicine ball were all most useful games. Cycling was very popular, especially with patients from the Fiji Military Forces, and some 30 bicycles were set aside for this purpose. Archery had many keen followers, while short hikes, beach trips, and fishing expeditions were all part and parcel of the syllabus designed to create healthy bodies. Before a man was finally passed as fit for discharge to his unit he had to participate in training as strenuous as the duties expected of him on his return—route marches, cross-country running and climbing, all complete with normal equipment.

The physical training instructors, seven in all, were each specialists in one particular branch. Norm Good looked after the upper limb and plaster cases, Dave Buick was responsible for the lower limb and foot corrective exercises. Pete McNeillie's squad included post-operational and abdominal cases. Warrie Pile specialised in advanced lower limb and foot corrective training. Colin Rae and Jack Bramwell took general physical training, which consisted mainly of toning up exercises and more strenuous work for patients graduating from a lower category; and, finally, Ted Clothier conducted the rigorous training usually given to patients prior to their discharge—unarmed combat, hill climbing, route marching, and advanced gymnastics. All instructors made individual reports to the medical officers on the progress of convalescents under their control.

No patient, however, can keep on doing exercises all day long without becoming bored and his muscles over-tired, and it was here that occupational therapy proved such a valuable asset, for it provided mental diversion and the medium for remedial exercise at one and the same time. By the beginning of December, 1943, the arts and crafts hut, metal workshop and carpenters' workshop were the basis of our occupational therapy department, under Lieutenant Spraggon. In the arts and crafts hut men made leather bags, purses, moccasins, writing cases, belts and many other useful personal articles; also toys in felt and a variety of attractive reproductions in papier mache. Those interested in painting, sketching or signwriting were also accommodated in this hut—in other words, it was devoted to the quieter type of handicraft. Other patients spent many happy hours in the metal workshop; in fact, sometimes one had to persuade them to stop when 'lights out' drew near. The methods of forming page 160and decorating metal require neither excessive muscular effort nor special ability, and men thoroughly enjoyed making picture frames, rings, ash-trays, inkwells, and the like from salvaged • shell cases and duralium. We managed to secure part of a crashed aeroplane, and the metal from this provided material for literally hundreds of articles. In the carpenters' workshop Corporal Caiman and, later, Corporal George Aiken, instructed classes, as well as attending to the many demands that normally fall on a camp carpenter. Patients were allowed to make furniture for their tents or work on small articles, but owing to the formidable list of camp furnishings required, the majority were quite happy to assist on camp jobs. Another addition to the occupational therapy group about this time was a gardening class, and, to any men who enjoyed pottering about in a garden, this was an excellent pastime. Corporal Murray Orr, one of the patients, took a personal interest in this group, and his efforts were reflected in the attractive layout of the grounds in the vicinity of the new recreation hut and arts and crafts bure.

Although men were allowed a reasonable choice when placed in a branch of the occupational therapy department it was sometimes necessary, for the benefit of a particular disability, to 'sell' a patient the idea. This was the subject of close cooperation by the medical officers, training staff, and occupational therapy Officer; in cases of special interest a review was made by the commanding officer each week. Each man automatically came up for review by the duty medical officer once a week, and upon that examination rested his category classification. In addition to this routine examination, the medical officers spent as much time as possible with the convalescents during training hours, and so were able to make immediate corrections in treatment if necessary.

We endeavoured to provide relaxation in the form of some class of entertainment each evening. Film programmes were screened twice or three times weekly, and every Sunday night there was a 'sing-song' in the recreation hut, followed by an open forum or discussion—not always on a religious subject. On the remaining evenings there were concerts, dances, debates, quiz sessions, the ever-popular 'housie' game, table tennis contests, card tournaments, mock parliaments, community sings, and lectures on a wide range of topics.

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Every facility was given to those who were anxious, to further interrupted studies. The AEWS officer was able to advise regarding courses, supply details of possible rehabilitation assistance, and provide the opportunity for quiet study in the arts and crafts hut each evening. When it was found that there were groups of men interested in the same subject an effort was made to locate an instructor and form a class. Students from nearby camps were also welcome to join any of the groups. For example, there were classes in French, pianoforte, theory and harmony of music, shorthand and typing, art, radio, book-keeping, play reading and dramatic art, and also a farmers' club. A patient could study during occupational therapy periods in special circumstances.

General camp facilities were good. The conventional barber's pole sign indicated Dick Heise's hairdressing salon, where one could receive tonsorial service for the modest sum of 10 cents. Sergeant Colin Rae devoted an hour each evening to the camp library, which was temporarily housed in the canteen, and Padre A. H. Lowden kept a fatherly eye on the evening supper arrangements as well as ministering to our spiritual needs. The post office occupied a tent in the administrative group, and Corporal Ralph Settle's popularity often depended on the regularity of our inward mail on Friday of each week. The unit canteen was always a constant source of interest, thanks to the American supplies, and a wide range of commodities could be purchased at a fraction of their normal New Zealand retail value. Cigarettes, cigars, chocolate, toilet requisites, beer, magazines, and sometimes fountain pens and towels, were only a few of the lines that found a ready sale. Sergeant Harry Thomas, better known as the 'pay wallah,' shared a tent with the telephone exchange, and Staff-Sergeant Syd Marris ruled the admission and discharge office, with 'Snips' Parsonson as an able assistant. Sergeant-Major Norm Boyce, Sergeant Bryan Kingston, and Private Murray Fountain were the male members of the camp orderly room staff, and, in addition to their routine duties, were always willing helpers in camp entertainment.