Vale!

Missionaries Who Lost Their Lives in Invasion

ON Saturday morning, November 10, a memorial service was held in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Wahroonga, headquarters of the Austra lasian Union Conference, for three of the victims of the sinking of the “Monte video Maru” in 1942, and a missionary who died in captivity a little earlier.

They were: Pastor E. M. Abbott, super intendent of the Seventh-day Adventist Mission in New Guinea; Mr. Leonard C.

Thompson, of the Rabaul hospital medi cal staff; Mr. Trevor Collett, of Emlra; and Pastor A. S. Atkins, of Mussau At the time of the invasion of New Guinea, Pastor Abbott was assisting in the Rabaul hospital, and was there taken prisoner. When the Australian nurses serving in Rabaul were subsequently transferred to Kokopo, where a tem porary hospital was established, Pastor Abbott was one of the last men to visit them. These nurses, who recently re turned from internment in Japan, speak in the highest terms of gratitude and admiration for the help and comfort he gave them when they were in fear of being molested by their captors.

PASTOR ABBOTT was 33 years of age at the time of his death, and was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. E. M.

Abbott, of Chatswood. His widow, Sister Frances Abbott, is the supervising sister at the Sydney Seventh-day Adventist Sanitarium and Hospital.

MR. THOMPSON, who was also 33 years of age, was a graduate of the Sydney Sanitarium and Hospi tal. In 1937 he accepted an appointment with the Public Health Department in New Guinea as medical assistant and radiographer. Mrs. Thompson and' her little daughter are living with relatives in Perth. rnHE name of Mr. Collett recalls two in- X cidents—the landing by the German raiders of some 500 refugees on the island of Emira at the end of 1940. For tunately,, just a few hours before the raiders arrived, Collett had sent the mis sion launch “Malalagi” away, across to Mussau, with supplies. After the unwel come visitors had gone, and it was con sidered safe, he sent a canoe over to bring it back. With four officers he went to Kavieng and gave the alarm. The survivors of the enemy sinkings were finally taken away safely, and the Col letts received a letter of thanks from the New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. Peter Fraser.

In an attempt to escape the invad ing enemy in 1942, Collett left Massau, with Atkins, in the “Malalagi.” In the early hours of the morning, near Put Put, “they met a larger mission launch, the “Veilomani,” which Pastor Abbott had offered for the use of any wishing to escape.

The two boats proceeded down the coast, but suddenly an enemy destroyer appeared round a point and dropped a pinnace, with a crew of wreckers. The occupants of the small boats made for the shore, some in dinghies and some swimming. From a distance they ob served the destruction of the mission ships.

The hull of the “Malalagi” was stove in, the engine wrecked, the anchor chain broken, and the boat allowed to drift on to the reef.

The “Veilomani” was set on fire and was burning well when the enemy de parted. However, Paam, the native cap tain of the boat, went out at the risk

of his life and managed to extinguish the flames. But the next day the enemy re turned and shelled the little ship and SEnk her Most of the men, after many adven tures, reached Australia safely. But Pastor Atkins’s health prevented his going with them, and Collett decided to remain with him. Both were taken pri soner. Atkins died soon after. Twenty nine years of age at the time of his death, Collett left a widow and little daughter, who are living in Brisbane.

MRS. ATKINS,., now residing in War burton, Victoria, has received the following letter from Dr. N. B.

Watch, formerly the resident doctor in Rabaul, telling of her husband’s last days:— “Your husband gave his life in suc couring the sick soldiers at his station.

I was told of his work by many who were brought in by the Japs at the same time. Mr. Atkins had had very little sleep for over a week, as he was up day and night administering to the wants of those soldiers suffering from dysentery.

Then the final march to camp after his capture was too big a strain. He would not accept help on the way but, with indomitable courage, continued walking and carrying his gear. He died two days after admission to hospital, being in a state bordering on collapse when he arrived there. No truer words could be said than: ‘He died for his fellow men.’ ”

A friend who started out on the last journey with him, wrote on reaching home: “Without the special consideration of Pastor Atkins, his kindness and brotherliness, I would not be here to-day enjoying the comfort of home and the nearness of my dearest loved ones.”

Pastor Atkins went to New Guinea in 1930.