N.G.V.R.

Famous Unit Disbanded

THE commanding officer of the unit, Major Edwards, proceeded to War wick, Queensland, and, on April 14, formally disbanded the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles. Thus there passed into oblivion, an organisation that performed very useful service in the critical years of the Second World War, and had a most distinguished record in the South west Pacific zone.

It is understood that the great majority of the remaining 300 members of the unit have been distributed throughout the organisation known as ANGAU (Australian New Guinea Ad ministrative Unit).

When the Pacific war broke out, there were approximately 600 men in the NGVR. About 200 were either lost or captured when the enemy occupied Rabaul. The remaining 400 carried out a wide variety of specialist duties— especially in connection with the main tenance of lines of communication, and as scouts.

During the past 12 months, the NGVR have been a kind of Cinderella unit, and the men have been scattered far and wide. About 300 were left when the unit was disbanded.

In the last few months the riflemen wore the letters “NGVR" in brass on their shoulder-straps. Strong efforts were made to maintain the unit under some organisation which would permit it to function alongside of ANGAU, but the gentlemen in authority had not the same sentimental regard for NGVR and, as a matter of efficiency and routine, it was passed out of existence.

Sister A. E. Samuels, of the Melanesian Mission Hospital, Lolowai, New Hebrides, expects to transfer to the Solomon Islands shortly. Her place at the Lolo wai Hospital will be taken by Sister R.

E. Cunnold.