ALL ARE WELL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3298, 9 August 1943, Page 5

ALL ARE WELL

PAEROA BOYS IN PACIFIC BIG RUGBY MATCH HELD LETTER FROM PTE. L. BERRY Information regarding men from the Thames Valley and at present in New Caledonia is given by Pte. L. O. Berry of Paeroa in the following letter to the Gazette. Pte. Berry writes that the semi-final of the big cup match was played recently between his battalion which to-day had not had their colours lowered was defeated by 11 points to six. . “The game was played in the big valley in the centre of the island. The field was in perfect order and the game was witnessed by. the biggest crowd of New Zealand soldiers ever seen together on the island. Some travelled as far as 120 miles in open trucks over rough, dusty roads. We were six hours on the road. Most battalions stayed the night, sleeping on the ground around big fires and many were the re-unions held. “I have a list here of our own local lads whom I met and of others whom I enquired about and who were fortunate enough to be there. “Pte. Nicol played in the curtainraiser. He looked quite well but a lot greyer in the hair. He is still playing good football and - sends- his kindest regards to all at home.

M. Davies and B. Kidd Riding Well “Sid McKee who has slipped a grade and is now grade 2 looks very well and is putting on condition and still has that great big cheerful smile. “Mick Davies of Paeroa and Bill Kidd of Kerepeehi, are doing great things' in the racing world, breaking and training horses. Both rode doubles last meeting. They are very popular with the lads and look very well. “Eric Pett is playing soccer with the Scotchmen and making a good job of it. He, too, is fighting fit, in the pink, and sends his Regards to all. “Bill Vercoe too ,is still playing good football, being ‘emer.’ for his team so must be good. He looks well but fed up with the place like all the rest. “Mick Jamieson has filled out a lot, looks very fit and well and still cheerful. “The. following boys I did not see but enquired about them. Bob Flatt, Monty Davies, Graham Bush, Jim Handley and Pat Hart. All well and doing a great job over here. Mick Alley has grown a big moustache and looks like Joe Stalin. Lionel Smith is doing a great job keeping the boys of the outfit clothed and equipped. He is' getting back to his usual fitness after his little 'bout in hospital. Selwyn Trembath is putting on condition and looks well but keen to see this finished and get home. Soldiers From Thames “Just a few lines about lads from Thames and the coast, as a lot are readers of your, paper. “Jack Grey; they can’t put any condition on him but he is looking and feeling well. He is busy looking after the boys’ interests in the canteen doing a good job too. “Leo Ganley is still behind the steering wheel, only big trucks instead of taxis. He is fighting fit. “Bert Kennedy hasn’t grown a 'bit. He is having a rotten time with an attack of boils but is as cheerful as can be expected. “Allah S.arsfield is in the pink and seems to be making the best of a bad job.

“Big Eddie McLoughlin is just the same as ever, a little bigger under the belt and looks a picture of health. Cardie McLoughlin is quite well but just fed up. Too much good beef running around here on the hoof keeps him homesick. Still he does not lose condition.

“Billy Dunlop has still forgotten to grow and is seen getting around on a big Indian with two wheels. Ken Woods is here with us doing a great job. He is now on the water waggon keeping us in water to drink—big shortage of anything else over here. “Johnny Cleave and Con are both well and have settled down. They are no longer white Leghorns and both send regards to Thames. “I was hauled over the coals on Saturday (the day of the big match) by most foi’ they say I haVe painted too good a picture of this place. Well, all I can say is I tried to give a fair idea of what the place looks like at its best for when we get back you will sure hear the worst parts of it laid on thick.

“To-day the whole of the brigade have left for a week’s holiday and rest to the coast. It includes quite a number of local lads. We have never had anything like this before. It sounds doo good to be true so I can’t tell you any more yet. “My regards to all.”