WWII soldiers back on the job

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 508, 19 October 1993, Page 3

WWII soldiers back on the job

A group of old soldiers relived past memories recently when retired members of the corps of Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers returned to Waiouru to restore some World War II vintage vehicles for display at the Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum. The men, who are members of the RNZEME association, were asked to lend

their services when it was decided that the association should undertake some projects for the Museum and assist with technical exper- . tise. The Association' s members plan to lend a hand a couple of times a year to repair and maintain the Museum' s old vehicles. The group, consisting of eight men from Auckland, said they thoroughly enjoyed their week-long stay

in Waiouru, especially their return to the Warrant Officer's and Sergeant's Mess, though said the most difficult part of the project was getting their wives to allow them to take the trip. The projects included the restoration of a Scammell, a Valentine tank, a Ford armoured car and a Ward ha France medium recovery vehicle, all of '42- '43 vintage. ,

The Valentine tank went to the Pacific Islands against the Japanese in WWII and carries the specific New Zealand Pacific Forces camouflage of pale yellow over light green.