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C Coy, 22 Btn in Japanby 816688 Cpl McGrathWhen we arrived at Chofu, Japan, most of the Maori personnel were drafted into two companies, C Coy and D Coy, along with everyone else. Our duties involved guard duty, patrol and bull ring (drill and other training). We trained hard and by the time we shifted to our new location at Ozuki, we were ready and rearing to go. Most of our officers and senior NCOs were ex 28th Maori Battalion. I was in C Coy under Major Bruce Poananga and also Lieutenant Brian Poananga, who later became Major General. I also had Major Searancke when Major Poananga came home on R&R. I had two trips to Tokyo on guard duty and again at Eta Jima, so I was one of the lucky ones on those tours. Towards the end of our time in Japan, Maj. Searancke came back to NZ and we had another officer from Rotorua, Maj. Anaru, right up to the day we came home. The last guard that went to Tokyo before we came home was under Maj. Birnie Matson from Napier (I was there again). Officers in C Company: A. McGrath |