Kerry's father, uncles and grandfather all served in WWII. This site is the
result of Kerry's research.
Kerry says:
"What I have done is in a general nature from information gleaned from this and a
couple of Dad's mates who were with him. It has been hard to find any specifics.
I have also been researching Stalag 383, where a number of Kiwis were imprisoned.
Among them was one of my Uncles. In this I have been able to contact a few who
are still alive and many of their families. They have, and are still, giving me
bits and pieces of information. Much of this I have collated and am putting
into a readable form."
From a young age I have been fascinated by stories of the war to end all wars, WWII.
It is likely that as I was born in 1948 this may have something to do with it.
My father, uncles and grandfather, as did many of our fathers, brothers, uncles,
grandfathers, did what their country asked of them and went across the seas to
another land and fought along side others who fought for the right of freedom
and democracy.
Many paid the ultimate price and did not return. Those that did return were very
much different from when they left.
Some have put it behind them as if it was only a trip away, and carried on life
as it was before, but in reality the horrors of warfare have never left any of them.
Some returned never to speak about the atrocities that they endured. Others returned
and at times within the many branches of the Returned Services Association, they
seek solace among others who shared the same experiences. Good times are recalled,
friends are remembered, fallen comrades are toasted.
As the time from the end of the War gets further away, the numbers get less. The
meetings are in that other place where all good soldiers must go when that final
call comes.
It is we who are left that will remember them.
Dad went over with the 13th Reinforcements, leaving New Zealand on the 30/09/1944
aboard the Donattar Castle. It carried 2022 Other Ranks and 106 Officers.
They stopped at Freemantle for 3 days, with leave being granted and then at Seychelle
Island and Aden, but no leave, arriving at Port Tewfik Egypt 05/11/1944. Six weeks
was spent training in Maadi before leaving for Italy arriving in Taranto 31/12/1944.
At Forli, he and others from Hawkes Bay joined up with the NZ Division and were
attached to the 2nd New Zealand Divisional Cavalry Regiment. This was an Armoured
Regiment but had been changed to Infantry as part of the 9th Brigade. They were
still allowed to wear the Black Beret and the rank of Trooper was still maintained.
They were attached to the Regimental Signals, mostly Radio and Telephone lines,
with the responsibility of keeping the lines open and repaired at all times.
09/04/1945 the assault on Senio began and by the 07/05/1945 the War in Italy and
Europe had ended.
Time was spent on Garrison Duty in Trieste before moving south to Florence for
some months.
It was understood that the NZ Division was destined for the War in Japan. As
this War finished in August 1945 they were told that all Single Men of the 13th,
14th, and 15th Reinforcements would be going to Japan as Occupational Forces.
First though, they were moved to Naples and then embarked on the Strathmore.
Stops were made at Ceylon, Singapore and Hong Kong, but no leave was granted at
any of the ports.
They arrived in Kure, Japan on 21/02/1946. Kure was a major ship building port
about 10km from Hiroshima. They were stationed in a Japanese Navel Academy on
the island of Eta Jima and it was believed that no outsiders had been on this
Island since 1936. The Island was honeycombed with very large tunnels and full
of all types of war equipment.
At a later date they were transferred to the Mainland and a camp at a Navel
Barracks in Misuba.
When the first Contingent of troops arrived from NZ, the troops from Italy departed
in June 1946, on the Troopship Chitra arriving back in New Zealand 23/07/1946.
