Where Waimarino veterans were in 1 945

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 599, 15 August 1995, Page 13

Where Waimarino veterans were in 1 945

To mark the end of World War II exactly 50 years ago today (1,5 August 1945) the Bulletin thought its readers may be interested to know where some ex-WWII veterans, now living locally, were serving at the time of VE Day (Victory in Europe 8 May 1945) and VJ Day (Victory over Japan 15 August 1945). The war, ( 'the war to end all wars') which claimed a total of 40 million lives (both civilian and combatants) began on Sunday 3 September 1939 with the declaration of war by both Britain and France after Germany invaded Poland. Following the initial successes of the Gerrnan forces in Europe, Italy joined in the war against the Allies on 11 June 1940 and the war spread to the Mediterranean and North Africa. On 22 June the following year Germany launched an attack ontheUSSR and then later that year (7 December 1941) Japan attacked the US Navy's Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbour. Most New Zealanders saw service either in the North African/Mediterranean/Italian campaigns or in the Pacific where they formed part of the NZ Army and Air Force contingents but many individuals served in other theatres of war as air crew with the RAF and RNZAF or as Navy personnel with the Royal Navy, the Royal NZ Navy and those of other Allies. The Bulletin has attempted to contact all exWWII Veterans, who served overseas, still living in our area but some have not been able to be reached (by telephone) while others (only a few) have declined to supply the information for personal reasons. Many others who have lived all their lives in the Waimarino have since sought retirement elsewhere and are therefore not covered in this

review. Pat Whale (Ohakune). Lance Corporal/Acting Sergeant in A Company of 22nd Battalion. In Maadi Camp, Cairo, Egypt on both VE Day and VJ Day . Ben Winchcombe (Karioi). Petty Officer (Radar) on board HMS Illustrious (Royal Navy aircraft carrier) as part of the Eastern Fleet based in Trincomalee (Ceylon) on VE Day and back in New Zealand at HMNZS Irriangi (Waiouru) on VJ Day. Ross Saywell (Rangataua). Sapper with the NZ 22nd Assault Company in Trieste (Italy) on VE Day and VJ Day and then with the 22nd Company NZ Field Engineers in the Pacific. Ian Strachan (Karioi). Corporal with the General Reconnaissance Squadron of the RNZAF. Arrived back in New Zealand from Guadacanal (in the Solomon Islands) on VE Day and was in the RNZAF base at Wigram on VJ Day. Jim Cranston (Makarunui). Sapper with the NZ 22nd Battalion in Trieste, Italy, on VE Day and VJ Day . Gordon McNie (Raetihi). Private with the NZ 22nd Battalion in Trieste, Itaiy, on VE Day and VJ Day after seeing action at Monte Cassino. Dennis Beytagh (Ohakune). Sub-Lieuten-ant, Royal Indian Navy, serving aboard HMIS Shillong in the Bay of Bengal off Rangoon (Burma) on VE Day and in Bombay (India) on VJ Day. Charles Innes 'Mac' McConachie (Smiths Road). Mechanic/Driver with the LRDG (Long Range Desert Group) in the 8th Army North African Western Desert Campaign before being posted to Lebanon with the NZ 25 Battalion and then to Italy (Florence) with the NZ Divi-

sional Cavalry. Repatriated to New Zealand in January 1945 before VE Day and VJ Day. George Murdie (Ohakune). Sergeant NZ 5 th Field Ambulance Corps. Back in Ohakune on VE Day and VJ Day after seeing service in North Africa and Italy. Laurie Birchall (Raetihi). Driver with NZ Army Service Corps. In Trieste on VE Day after service in North Africa and Italy (including Monte Cassino) and on board SS Strathmore "somewhere in the Indian Ocean" returning to New Zealand on VJ Day. Laurie Prentis (Waiouru). Leading Telegraphist, Royal NZ Navy. At HMS Drake (in the UK) on VE Day and on board HMS Mayina in Colombo (Ceylon) on VJ Day. Martin ('Lofty') Dowman (Raetihi). Gunner with Anti-Aircraft Battery then driver with NZ Army. Service Corps in Guadacanal and New Caledonia. Back in New Zealand on VE Day and VJ Day. Ray Littlewood (Raetihi). Private (Platoon Mechanic) with 27th NZ Machine Gun Battalion. Saw service in North Africa, Greece and Crete before being captured in Crete in June 1941. Spent the remainder of war as POW in Stalag 8b. Was on a working party in Czechoslovakia on VE Day and was on the way back to New Zealand viaPanama on VJ Day. Norman Grossart (Raetihi). Corporal with the 19th Battalion of the 4th NZ ArmouredBrigade. Saw service in Greece, Crete, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and North Africa before being sent home on furlough in 1944. Was back in New Zealand on VE Day and VJ Day. Cyril Larsen (Raetihi). Sereeant with the Roval

Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (R.E.M.E.)recovery unit. Served in North Africa and Italy (including Monte Cassino). Was in Trieste on VE Day and was on the way home aboard SS Strathmore, "somewhere in the Indian Ocean" on VJ Day. Bill Hussey (Raetihi). Corporal 2nd NZ Division Signals with General Freyberg's communications unit. Saw service in Greece, Crete, Western Desert (North Africa) and Italy. Back home in Raetihi on VE Day and VJ Day. Trevor McCoy (Raetihi). Private 27th NZ Battalion (3rd Company). Saw service in Egypt and Italy. Was in Trieste on VE Day and in Naples on VJ Day. Rex Winter (Raetihi). Gunner with the 7th NZ Anti-Tank Regiment. Saw service in Italy (including Monte Cassino), Was "somewhere in Italy" on VE Day and in Trieste on VJ Day. Ken Zweibruck (Raetihi). Private with the NZ 1 9th Infantry Battalion. Saw service in Greece and Crete where he was taken prisoner. Was in Stalag 8b in Germany (near Carlsbad) on VE Day and on the way back to New Zealand (on board SS Mauretania) via Panama on VJ Day. Ross Brown (Raetihi). Sergeant, NZ Divisional Cavalry. Saw service in Italy (including Monte Cassino). Was in Trieste on VE Day and in Florence on VJ Day. Harry Brown (Raetihi). Sergeant with NZ Divisional Cavalry in Italy (Monte Cassino) and then 2nd Lieutenant, 19th NZ Armoured Division in Italy. Was in Trieste on VE Day and in Senigallia (Italy) on VJ Day.