21 Battalion remembered

Clem Hollies

Beer no longer flows from the bar taps, but members of the 21 Battalion Association say the Auckland War Memorial Museum has made a first-class job of recreating the atmosphere of their old clubrooms in Mt Roskill.

"We were a very happy family," said former president Clem Hollies at yesterday's opening of an exhibition showing members' donations of pictures, memorabilia and stories of the battalion's World War II service.

"Our motto was comradeship, and the epitome of the spirit of the 21st will last with the help of the museum."

Most of the battalion were drawn from Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Hauraki and after returning from famous battles in Greece, Crete, the North African Desert and Italy they wanted to keep in touch with their mates.

Through working bees they built clubrooms at Akarana Drive, but dwindling membership forced the closure last year.

Association welfare officer Ted Waters, a former president, said it was a shame that the collection of mementoes which lined the clubroom walls was doomed to deteriorate in boxes in a shed.

"But the museum could not have given us a better reception."

Museum director Rodney Wilson said it was honoured to receive the contents of the clubrooms and to offer visitors the chance to experience the clubroom's supportive environment and to learn about the veterans' experiences.

Defence Minister Phil Goff said 470 members of the battalion were killed or died on active service, more than 1000 were wounded and more than 500 were taken prisoner.

Mr Goff said when the veterans returned home, the Government and people were determined that they should be treated much better than those of the previous world war.


Battle honours

21 Battalion's record:
* Middle East, 1941: Greece, Mt Olympus, Crete, Malem.
* North Africa, 1941-3: El Alamein, Ruweisat Ridge, Takrouna.
* Italy, 1943-5: Cassino, the advance on Florence.