Stan Welch served with the 18 Battalion and later as a medical orderly in North Africa and Italy on hospital ships, returning wounded to the UK and New Zealand.

Freyberg's 'circus'

In Egypt Freyberg commanded the Second New Zealand Expeditionary force (2NZEF) as part of the British eighth Army. The major part of the 2NZEF was the Second New Zealand Division, numbering some 20,000 men and 2800 vehicles, tanks and guns. New Zealand suffered a number of defeats in fighting the Afrikakorps. In November 1941 New Zealand opened the way to Tobruk in days of confused desert fighting at Sidi Rezegh, and Belhamed. At heavy cost, New Zealand held Rommel's advance into Egypt in 1942 at the battles of Minqar Qaim, Ruweisat ridge, and El Mrier.

Finally under Montgomery New Zealand found a British general who knew how to win. The allies defeated Rommel at Alam Halfa and El Alamein in October 1942. The tide turned and the allies advanced from Egypt through to Libya into Tunisia, fighting numerous bitter encounters. The final battle was at Enfidaville below the heights of Takrouna.It was followed by the surrender of the German and Italian forces in Tunisia on 13 May 1943.

The medical kit bag of Stan Welch is on display at the Auckland War Memorial Museum at 'Scars on the Heart' AWMM