STRANGE PETS OF MEN OF J FORCE

Chronicle (Levin), 26 June 1946, Page 3

STRANGE PETS OF MEN OF J FORCE

CHOFU, June 21. The promotion of "Gunner Jojo," a smal 1, nondescript monkey bought in Bi ngapo re b v a member of the Second N.Z.L.F. while en route from Italy to Japan, recalls the activitics of pets in the New Zealand section of J Force. Jojo is lioiv a boiubardicr and, honouring the occasion, Japanese tailors were counnissioned to make liim a uniform. Jojo did not like the tailors and tlie tailors did not like- Jojo but the job was linally completed even to a hole in the trouser 's seat to allow for Jojo's unini 1 itarv appendage. Wlien on Lta Jima tlie Maoris of the Dlvisional Cavalrv adoptcd a goat acquired by dubious means, as a mascot. When the" regiment moved to its present location, liowever, "Butch" the | goat had to be lianded over to an AusI tralian unit. ' Another peculiar pet is a small oivl I wliicli was preseiited to Private J. J ' Austin, of Christchurch, of the Divieional Cavalry Kegiiucnt, by Japauest labourers. Originally there were three owls rejoicing in tlie names of Socrates Plato and Wilson. Bats or str.ay dog; elaimed two but nobody knows whicl ones. Cpnsequently the survivor ha: inheritcd the sonorous triple-barrellet j name.

' Another character on the roster of( st rongo pets is a swivel-eyed chaiueleon namod Albcrt. If there is oue thing about the oceupation force of which the Japanese are certain, it is the fact that they don't like Albert. Albert's opinions concerning the Japanese are un a v ailable. _____