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The Tanks: An Unofficial History of the Activities of the Third New Zealand Division Tank Squadron in the Pacific

VII. The Paths Divide

VII. The Paths Divide

When the remaining members of the company had settled down in their new camp at BTD next to the messrooms, the main activity was the erection of fences around the company area. page 100Those who had journeyed south in the manpower draft were scattered in various camps throughout Necal, but the majority was still at either BTD or BRD and naturally they spent a large proportion of their time with their ex-comrades in the company's camp. Despite the blessings conferred by the absence of the atebrin bottle and the six o'clock' Shirts on' whistle, life still had its drawbacks, mainly because of the low temperatures which prevailed, especially at night. Swimming was now a sport which demanded consideration and courage, as the Bourail River was not a hot water bath by any stretch of the imagination, even to the hardiest of the erstwhile 'Jungle smashers.' As a respite from the monastic existence led in the Solomons, the Bourail Club, staffed as it was by Waacs, provided a taste of normal social life, although the damsels were greatly outnumbered by the neatly-groomed, perfectly-mannered swains who nightly danced attendance upon them. At least it was better than the ethereal courtships of Thio, which had been up to now the only glimpse of feminine companionship seen since the far-off New Zealand days. The pleasure to be obtained from having a meal or even supper served by a waitress, instead of having to procure it for oneself and probably eat it off a tin plate, was a prophecy which augured well for that long-awaited furlough in New Zealand. Quite soon after we arrived at base, short rest periods were arranged at the Bourail beach for parties of two from the company. The men stayed at the Kiwi Club where they were waited on by the Waacs who comprised the staff. The more usual recreational huts which abounded at base were of a very fine type and were most popular. The various YMCA huts were always crowded for morning and afternoon tea while queues for supper were worse than waiting for a free issue of beer. At the Bourail Club a traffic controller was necessary to cope with the hordes who waited clutching their dimes and nickels. One of the most popular huts at this time was the newsroom, where large scale maps did much to allow appreciation of what was happening.

Daylight hours were occupied with sport in every possible form. In their turn, depending on the day and the hour, the premier consideration was rugby, hockey, soccer, basketball or cricket. For two or three half-days a week the company had the use of the rugby field in front of the Bourail Club; hockey and soccer competitions between the various units were soon in full page 101swing with company (combined with brigade headquarters) eventually finishing in second place on both ladders. With the completion of the matting wicket which was laid out between the officers' mess and the road, for two days a week cricket enthusiasts, usually clad in jungle boots and a pair of shorts, had a day as near perfect as a score of nought could permit. Once more, allied with brigade headquarters, the company entered a team in the battalion competition and, although in common with every other side, it was slaughtered by the 29th, its performances were quite commendable. The company's basketball team gave good exhibitions, holding its own with the battalion sides. These days spent in sporting mood were a welcome respite from life in the Solomons, where hardly any sport more strenuous than crib or poker was possible. Unfortunately, a little training had to be indulged in but this was usually undertaken first thing in the morning. Sometimes after the rifle inspections, which occurred every few days, the company would undertake a period or two of foot drill or a short route march but more often the day was spent in improving the camp. Quite naturally fatigues occupied a large proportion of the private's time but these were not particularly arduous. Not long after the return to base, the original CSM and CQMS who had preceded the unit in the journey south, and had been attached to base units, were returned to the company. However, in order to ease the congestion, it was found necessary to have both of them seconded for duty to brigade headquarters.

Early in July the manpower draft all left for New Zealand, the first arriving in Auckland just after the King's Birthday and the first of the furlough drafts were in the throes of packing. The pioneers to leave on furlough were ex-members of the 34th and 36th Battalions who had left New Zealand up to three months prior to other members of the division when they went to Tonga and Norfolk Islands. They were to arrive in Auckland on 10 July, only a few days after a special demolition company (containing about a dozen members of the unit), came home to work on disused camps throughout New Zealand. With the company strength down to one platoon, small leave parties of up to six followed the first until the remnants, with the exception of a rear party of four, reached New Zealand on 17 August. The last two months had been practically evenly divided between fatigues and packing. Both caused plenty of gnashing of teeth, as all gear had page 102to be crated for transport after the worthless had been sorted from the useful. The magnitude of this work, even in a small unit, made each day a full one with all hands working at top speed. Only scratch matches were possible in the sporting world as each battalion and unit was at greatly depleted strength. The rear party finally arrived in Auckland in early September. As the company had no representative in the final few left behind, this saw the whole company once more back in their homeland. When the 44 days' leave granted to all ranks had expired, those who had not been manpowered to essential industry were called back to camp where they were divided between Papakura and Mangere Camps. The first of the furlough drafts returned at the beginning" of September while the rear party was still in Necal. Later that month came the disbanding of the Third Division and all personnel from the Southern districts were transferred to their own areas, being stationed at either Trentham or Burnham. Those of the ex-members of the company who were in either of the three main mobilisation camps were then drafted to the 14th Reinforcements.

After a brief existence of only just over one year, the company has ceased to exist. All the multitudinous gear associated with a vickers unit had been checked and returned to ordnance, leaving the ex-members with only their memories. It is to be hoped that this short account will help to keep the more pleasant of these alive and bright. We were lucky that in our short spell we lost only one comrade, Private J. Jack, who gave his life at Soanotalu. Private A. Futcher, who was with us for a few weeks when the unit was first formed, has since died from illness. Those of us with time to serve in the army can hope that our life and our future friendships will be as enjoyable as when we were privileged to have our mail addressed to the 8th Brigade Machine-Gun. Company, APO 150, whether we were in Necal, on Guadalcanal, or in the Treasuries.