I remember uncle Roach telling me when he 1st went overseas and when he arrived being told that because the Battalion was full he was going to be put somewhere else. He wanted to stay with the boys from home but then uncle Barlow saw him and took him to the mortars with him. He said that when they went out to action him and uncle Barlow were in the back of the transport truck and uncle Barlow told him to look outside the truck. He said when he did he could see the boys from home marching in the same direction while he was being driven. He said when he (and uncle Barlow too) eventually got shipped back to the battalion he didn't want to coz he new he'd have to walk everywhere like the rallies.

Uncle Roach told me this down at the Te Kaha hotel in the corner of the old pub by the fireplace.