Patrick John
Title for image: Brian Edwin Clement AC44622 Taken 1944
Describe the image: Brian was in the Solomon Islands during WWII on island of Bougainville. He was late departing from Whenuapai vs the rest of his company as one member in his tent died so he and 2 others remain behind for the inquest into the doctor who refused to attend. Brian also returned from the war later than the rest of his company as he was the only person on the island able to operate the crane at the wharf so was needed to load both US and ANZ ships with returning cargo etc. His company captured an intact Japanese Zero airplane and his CO flew it back to their base. Brian dismantled and laid that plane onto a ship and the plane is now on display in the Auckland War Memorial Museum. In about 2000 Brian sent this story with accompanying photos to the Museum.
Where did your information come from?: From Brian himself. He was my father.
File created: 9 May 2022