Mission Medical Work in BSI

JUST prior to the threatened occupation of the Solomons by the Japanese.

Dr. J. D. Thomson. Medical officer of the Melanesian Mission, was able to arrange to carrv on medical work amongst the natives by transferring eouinment and medical stores to the various villages.

At the first appearance of enemv nlanes, natients in the hosnital bolted, while others eould not be nersuaded to eome in for treatment. It was decided then to close down temnorarily. and work from the scattered villages where the stores had been left in charge of an orderly.

When the invasion did occur the hos nital buildings were not damaged, excent for broken locks. The Japanese entered all buildings looking for stores—which they naturally did not find—and when the natives were nuestioned as to their whereabouts and the whereabouts of the doctor and nursing staff thev remained love?] and refused to give information,

even though flogged by the enemy.