South West Pacific Pilgrimage

They came from around the country, to gather at Trentham Army Camp. Amongst the greeting of old friends there was an air of anticipation and some trepidation on the trip ahead.

All were old men, most in their early or mid 80s, some showing signs of frailty, others with a quickness of movement that belied their mature years. For all it was a time to return to their youth and to remember friends who did not return.

The 82 veterans of the war in the South West Pacific 1941 – 1945, were representatives of the tens of thousands of young New Zealanders who served in this theatre of the war. Unlike those who fought in Europe, the enemy in this theatre was brutal, and the chances of survival if captured were slim. For example, several of the pilot veterans referred to their pistol ammunition in the case of being forced to bale out over enemy held territory as “five for them, one for me.”

Veterans lay poppies at the foot of the US Memorial cenotaph at Honiara.

After the RNZAF B757 landed at Tontuta in New Caledonia, the veterans were shepherded through formalites by the ever-efficient team from VANZ, under the leadership of Director Jessie Gunn.

The first formal function was held in downtown Noumea, where the NZDF and their French military counterparts accorded the parade full military honours. The Commander of the French Forces in New Caledonia, General Alain Daniel, had delayed his end of tour posting back to France by a week. He specifically wanted to be the senior French representative at the two ceremonies on New Caledonia, so that he could personally pay his tributes to the sacrifices made by the many young Kiwis.
With wreaths laid, there was a particularly moving sight of young French primary school children laying flowers at the base of the monument, then moving among the veterans, shaking hands and embracing.

The visit to Bourail, the location of the New Zealand War Cemetery on New Caledonia, was on a day which must have reminded the veterans of some of the worst weathers of the war. Intense tropical rain, did not dampen the determination of the veterans and the French and New Zealand military parties to ensure that this ceremony, and sacred ground was afforded all the correct procedures.

William (Bill) Edhouse lays a poppie on an old mates grave at Bourail.		James Pennington reflects on the good times with his mate now resting at Bourail.

The NZDF Cultural group attired in traditional Maori garb, were a poignant reminder of New Zealand’s multicultural make up, and their singing and chanting drew praise from all those assembled.
Following a luncheon hosted by the Mayor of Bourail, the veterans returned to the cemetery, to spend time amongst the headstones seeking out and paying their respects to fallen comrades.

It was at the end of this time, when gathered in the heavy rain, that the singing of “Now is The Hour” in English and Maori by the Cultural group, brought all those present to tears.
The last day of the trip saw an early start from New Caledonia to Honiara on Guadalcanal. In contrast to the previous day, it was hot and clear.

Mr Katsuhiko Kubo the Japanese Government Representitive to the Solomon Islands, bowed in respect to the assembled ranks of New Zealand veterans before placing a wreath at the US Memorial service at Honiara.

Diplomatic representatives attended the New Zealand hosted service at the site of the US Memorial high above the township of Honiara, with commanding views of Iron Bottom Sound from several nations. At the end of the formal service, the veterans were able to wander around the site, reading the many inscriptions on the memorial walls, describing the sequences of the battle for Guadalcanal. There listed on the units involved were several of the RNZAF, and RNZN.

After an excellent lunch and speeches at the Honiara Hotel, it was back to the Boeing for the long flight back to Wellington. On departure the flight crew took the large aircraft on a low-level flight along the coast of Tulagi where RNZAF and RNZN units had been based during the war, then to Cape Esperance before turning southward for home. A nice touch by an ex-patriate New Zealander in Honiara was the recording of the previous nights rugby match between New Zealand and Australia, which was played on the aircraft’s entertainment system. For the first 80 minutes of the flight, there was much cheering and comment on the antics on the field of play.

Bill Tacon, thanks one of the many locals whoe came to the Honiara service.

The final day of this trip saw the veterans gathered at the Wellington Civic centre where they boarded vintage and current military vehicles for a parade through the streets of Wellington to the Cathderal. Again due ceremony was accorded the veterans at the service, after which they moved to Parliament for afternoon tea with government representatives.

Overall there can only be admiration for this group of elderly men who made what will most likely be their final visit to the fields of battle, and to saw farewell to their mates who lie permanently in foreign fields.