TarawaTalk - Re: 1st Divn. didn't come back here

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Hello Peter,

Thank you again for your help. My own research agrees with what you say -- that the 1st MarDiv did not return to New Zealand after Guadalcanal. Also, these men were not reassigned to the 1st Bn, 6th Marines -- so that is a problem. The only possible solution, that I can think of, is that I seem to remember reading somewhere that some of the 1st MarDiv corpsmen temporarily came back to NZ to help train others in the care of malaria victims.

Yes, I have "zoomed-in" on the patch. I tried really hard to make my mind see an unauthorized 2nd Mar Div patch, but it just wasn't there. You sent me a copy of that patch years ago, and that was the one I used for comparison back then. (See Below)

-Jim

Left-Unauthorized ------------------------------------- Right-1st MarDiv

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Photo - Corpsmen in New Zealand circa 1943 — Jim Hildebrand, Wed Jun 13 13:50

This photograph was in a small photo-album that my uncle had started, prior to his death at Tarawa. On the back of the photo, my uncle had written the last names GALIANO, OWENS, WILDER, HAMMERS and... more
- Photo Taken in Australia — Jim Hildebrand, Sat Jul 28 23:38
  
  Today I had a conversation with Mr. Lewis H. Owens (one of the men shown in the photo). While he doesn't remember the photo being taken, he knows that it was in Australia, not New Zealand. It was... more
- Photo — Kim Righetti, Thu Jun 14 08:29
  
  Love the photo!!!
- 1st Divn. didn't come back here — Peter Mc, Thu Jun 14 03:07
  
  Hi Jim, Good result with the identities! After the First Divn left here, they went to the 'Canal, then after that they went to Melbourne, Australia. I'm not aware of any 1st Divn outfits returning... more
- - 6th Marines Location — 3L6research, Thu Jun 14 11:43
    
    After they returned from Guadalcanal to New Zealand (25 Feb 1943), the 6th Marines were moved across the railroad tracks from Camp McKay to Camp Russell on the flat land nearer to the ocean.
  - - Re: 6th Marines Location — Peter Mc, Sun Jun 17 04:52
      
      I'm was sure 6th Marines were at McKay after return from Guadalcanal. Can you advise me where you got your info from?
    - - ok, I should have read further. — Peter Mc, Sun Jun 17 05:03
        
        I was a little worried there....... I didn't really want to have to move our Marines Memorial plaque across the road!
    - Mckay's Crossing — William L. Jefferies, Fri Jun 15 22:35
      
      I joined A/1/6/ at Camp Mckay when they came back from Guadalcanaland and we were always there untill we left for Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll.
    - - Camp McKay / Camp Russell — 3L6research@gmail.com, Sat Jun 16 11:40
        
        My apologies - I made the assumption that because the 3/6 was at Camp Russell, the other battalions of the 6th Marines were there also. Here are two of my sources for this information about the... more
      - 6th Marines' location in New Zealand — Jim Hildebrand, Sun Jun 17 14:38
        
        These locations were always difficult to sort out and I've never accomplished it to my own satisfaction. The following source may help: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE 6TH MARINE REGIMENT by Lt. Gen. William... more
        Camp Locations — 3L6research, Mon Jun 18 16:10
        
        I pulled out my copy of "A Brief History ..." and re-read that section on page 60. I can only assume that Lt. Gen. Jones was not attempting to go into excruciating detail when describing the... more
        Camp McKay, New Zealand — William L. Jefferies, Tue Jun 19 11:03
        
        Ret.Lt.Gen.William K. Jones was Major Jones and commander of our 1st, Bn, 6TH Marines when we were at Camp McKay. Lets put this to rest and honor our lost Marines. William L. Jefferies A Co, 1st Bn.... more
        1/6 Rear Echelon at Camp Russell — Jim Hildebrand, Tue Jun 19 02:34
        
        After reading your post, I agreed that the muster rolls are the "best evidence." I decided to try to find any muster roll references for the 1st Bn, 6th Marines - my uncle's battalion. The only one I ... more
        1/6 Rear — Ed. Bale, Wed Jun 20 14:10
        
        Jim You cannot go by the location of the Rear Echelon since it was common practice to move rear echelons into one compound to better handle feeding, etc. and provide security details from those... more
        Rear Echelon — Jim Hildebrand, Wed Jun 20 16:25
        
        Thank you Colonel, your insight is always helpful.
        New Zealand Camps — Joseph S. Meloro, Fri Jun 22 12:20
        
        I never hear much about the housing of Marines in or near Wellington. I know my father was at a place called "Camp Central Park" at least at one time, that I heard was a small place for Marines in or ... more
        New Zealand camps — Anthony Dreaver, Sat Jun 23 06:37
        
        Time I got involved in this discussion, I think. Here in the Wellington region we've just held a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the arrival of US troops in Wellington (First Marine Division). ... more
        NEW ZEALAND CAMPS — SHIRLEY GEORGE, Sat Jun 23 12:17
        
        DON'T FORGET PAHAUANUI (SP) WHERE THE TENTH (ARTILLERY) WAS CAMPED. SHIRLEY GEORGE
        New Zealand camps — Anthony Dreaver, Sat Jun 23 18:28
        
        There was a large number of camps from Wellington city to Paraparaumu on the west to Masterton on the east. And indeed this includes 8000 men in the Porirua Basin, including those at Pauatahanui,... more
        Re: New Zealand camps — Anonymous, Sun Jun 24 16:29
        
        How about Hutt Park where were Stationed (2nd. Amph. Trac. Bn) plus the Division Brig was there and I wasn't a cusotmer in the Brig. Don Crain ("C Company 2nd. Amph. Trac. Bn.) I was also at Titahi... more
        New Zealand camps — Anthony Dreaver, Sun Jun 24 23:26
        
        Don, at our museum we have some interesting items donated by Cliff Carrigan who was in the Scouts at Titahi Bay, including photographs. Did you know him? What was your unit? He settled in New Zealand ... more
        New Zealand camps — Anthony Dreaver, Sun Jun 24 18:30
        
        A commemorative booklet by June and Jack Hinton called 'The Friendly invasion of New Zealand June 1942–October 1944' is a useful compendium of all the US locations for something like 150,000... more
        Re: New Zealand camps — John Armstrong, Sun Jun 24 16:13
        
        I still have never heard anything about our HOSPITAL at TRENTHAM RACETRACK. I will contribute to a marker placqe. I have a few photos including the whole company. John Armstrong, Kirtland Ohio Co C... more
        New Zealand Camps — Anthony Dreaver, Sun Jun 24 18:24
        
        I'm new to this system but I'll try to attach a photograph and map of the Trentham hospital. If it doesn't attach, send me your email address and I'll send it directly. My info says that the hospital ... more
        Trentham — earl schalk, Mon Jun 25 20:53
        
        Mr. Dreaver, My father in law PHM1C Marvin Riedeman was stationed with John Armstrong with the 2nd. Med. Bat. 2nd Marine Div. at that period in N.Z. I have a photo of a gentleman on N.Z. It is signed ... more
        New zealand camps — Anthony Dreaver, Mon Jun 25 21:13
        
        Is it possible that the name is Gillespie? There are several in Dunedin, including in the Mornington area.
        Mornington — earl schalk, Mon Jun 25 21:53
        
        Anthony, YES, it just might be Gillespie. It is a very stylized signature. The gentleman in the picture appears to be about 30 to 40 years old, so I doubt if he is still alive. Maybe he has a family... more
        Trentham — earl schalk, Mon Jun 25 20:26
        
        Mr. Dreaver, My father in law was in the same unit as John Armstrong. I have a picture and an address of a person from the area that I cannot come up with a location.It has a signature of a Philip... more
        New zealand camps — Anthony Dreaver, Mon Jun 25 20:43
        
        Well, I know the location quite well, but the 'white pages' directory says that there is no Gelleshin in New Zealand at all. Could you send me some alternative versions of the spelling? Or could you... more
        Trentham — John Armstrong PhM2/C, Sun Jun 24 22:33
        
        Right. We also had an operating room for minor injuries and appendectomies. I ran words and others. Ran the main boiler for heating for a whole month. Full liberty during the day. We ran a lot of... more
        Hospital / Company / NZ Photos — Jim Hildebrand, Mon Jun 25 00:57
        
        Mr. Armstrong, I will be happy to post your NZ photos here on Tarawa Talk if you like. Just click on my name above and attach high-resolution copies to the email. I will downsize them as necessary -- ... more
        New Zealand camps — Anthony Dreaver, Sun Jun 24 22:50
        
        Thanks for that offer, John. Very generous. My mailing address is Anthony Dreaver, 7 Avion Terrace, Paraparaumu, New Zealand 5032. So your hospital was much more than just a malaria facility. On... more
        Re: New Zealand Camps — Anonymous, Sun Jun 24 21:27
        
        Tony, You are correct.
        Still Confused... — Jim Hildebrand, Mon Jun 18 03:32
        
        Lt. Gen. William K. Jones says that - "Upon returning to New Zealand, the regiment moved into new camps which had been constructed at McKay's Crossing on the opposite side of the railroad tracks from ... more
        Camp Mckay, New Zealand — William L. Jefferies, Tue Jun 19 10:54
        
        Jim, I hope some of these people who weren't there belive us that were at Camp Mckay before we left for Tarawa on the Feland. William L. Jefferies
        Email Address — Jim Hildebrand, Tue Jun 19 11:45
        
        Mr. Jefferies, I just tried to send you a private email, but it bounced back. The address that I have for you must be outdated. Would you click on my name above and send me a short email? That will... more
  - Re: 1st Divn. didn't come back here — Anonymous, Thu Jun 14 03:49
  - - FIRST DIVISION — SHIRLEY GEORGE, Thu Jun 14 08:40
      
      DO ANY OF YOU WHO WERE ON GUADALCANAL REMEMBER BEING , FOR THAT BATTLE ONLY, A PART OF THE 1ST. DIVISION? BOB'S UNIT BECAME A 1 11. THEY BECAME PART OF THE SECOND AGAAIN ON NEW ZEALAND. SHIRLEY
    - that sounds the most likely expl. — Peter Mc, Thu Jun 14 03:55
      
      If these guys had come back here and been absorbed into the 2nd Divn, they would still be able to wear the prized Guadalcanal patch, but I believe they would have to place it on the right shoulder,... more
    - - 1ST. DIVISION — SHIRLEY GEORGE, Thu Jun 14 17:01
        
        I WAS SO WRONG. SORRY, GUYS. I JUST SPOKE WITH CHARLIE FENLIO A ''CANOON COCKER'' WITH A 1 10. HE SAID THEY ALWAYS STAYED A 1 10. AND ALWAYS STAYED SECOND DIVISION. SHOULD HAVE DONE MY HOME WORK... more
      - 1ST. DIVISION — SHIRLEY GEORGE, Thu Jun 14 16:48
        
        IT WAS MY UNDRSTANDING THAT THE IT WAS ONLY ON GUADALCANAL THAT THEY WERE ABSORBED INTO THE 1ST. I WLL DO MORE CHECKING. SHIRLEY
- CORPSMAN — JERRY RAPPOPORT, Wed Jun 13 23:35
  
  Send this photo on to Roger Mairs@aol.com Roger was a corpsman on the canal and knew quite few that were with him in New Zealand. I hope he can shed some light for you.
- - Thank You / additional info — Jim Hildebrand, Thu Jun 14 03:03
    
    Thank you Mr. Rappoport, I have done as you suggested. Additionally, it appears that the five corpsmen in the photo were probably with the 17th Marines (Engineers), 1st MarDiv while at Guadalcanal.... more

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