Ff Contingent In

Melbourne

Reading Matter Wanted for Sick Tahitian

A SECOND returning contingent of Tahitian and New Caledonian sol diers, members of the Fighting French Pacific Battalion, arrived in Mel bourne on July 14—Bastille Day. They were on their way home from the Middle East after chasing the Hun across North Africa with General Montgomery’s Eighth Army.

The Caledonians stayed only a few days, but the unfortunate Tahitians had to en dure our cold, frosty Melbourne winter for three weeks.

When the first contingent was here last summer they made many friends, and hospitable Australians invited them to their homes. In particular was one, Mrs.

Nixon —who quickly became “Mammy” to the boys. She mothered the first con tingent, and when the second contingent arrived no trouble was too great for her to make the Tahitians welcome. At times there were 30 or 40 men at her home. On their last night in the city, she organised a party in a local hall. A huge banner, with the words; “In Honour of the Tahitian Battalion” was draped across one end of the room, and during the dance a collection was taken up among the Melbourne girls and residents who had gathered to give the boys a good

time, in order to buy a present for Cor poral Teni Gatata, who had to be left behind in a military hospital in Aus tralia, Teni will be in that hospital for at least eight months; and he is very lonely.

“Mammy’’ Nixon recently took the 200mile journey to visit him, but he would appreciate letters or reading matter from any “PIM” reader who is interested. His address is: Corporal Teni Gatata, Tahi tian Contingent, Fighting French Pacific Battalion, Ward 2, 106 AGH, Bonegilla (Victoria), via Albury, NSW. —TIHONI

Tamaiti.