Related Pages
The Recreational Hall at Camp Mackay
External Links
From New Zealand History online: Having fun US style
-
Home
- About
- History
- Collections
- Visit
-
News
-
Events
- Resources
- Get Involved
-
Contact Us
Having Fun
Leave was generous, especially for units returning from the fighting in Guadalcanal.
Camps were provided with recreation halls for films, games, concerts and dances, for which the American Red Cross employed local women as organisers and dancing partners.
Trains from Paekākāriki and Mackay’s Crossing were packed with men heading north and south in search of fun and company.
Visiting celebrities and local performers boosted morale. New Zealanders in towns and farms opened their homes to these young men, giving rise to lifelong friendships.
Photo Gallery
Please click on images to read the original captions
Joe E. Brown visit: Stirring finale to his act everywhere found the men uncovered, singing 'God Bless America'.
Paekākāriki, N.Z.
Apr. 23, 1943
Joe E. Brown (actor) demanded no fancy eating arrangements, but sat down with the boys at their mess tables. At the right here is Mar. Pfc. John H. Wodels of Wabasha, Minn.
Paekākāriki, N.Z.
Apr. 23, 1943
Joe E. Brown visit: Here is the comic at the height of one of his most amusing numbers. Note mixed audience of Marines and sailors, some in wheelchairs. Photo was made at an American Naval Hosp.
Paekākāriki, N.Z.
Apr. 23, 1943
FLAUTIST. Accompanied by the First Marine Div. band, Miss Jean Lindsay, promising young flautist plays a solo at a South Pacific base.
Aug. 1943
South Pac.
Pfc. Merva
MARINE BAND. Part of the First Marine Div. band is shown at a concert given recently somewhere in the South Pac. The 80 piece band has been on tour for several months.
August 1943
South Pac.
Pfc. Merva
MARINES ENTERTAIN CHILDREN. Major Leon Brusiloff, commanding officer of the First Marine Division band entertains a child audience at a concert. The bandmaster is Marine Gunner William B. Greear Jr. a Master Tech. Sgt. when the picture was made.
Major Brusiloff, whose wife Esther lives at 1633 Webster St. N.W. Wash, DC was recently promoted from captain.
MarGun Greear's wife lives ar Parris Island South Carolina.
There are 80 members in the band.
August 1943
South Pacific
Cpl. Robert M. Howard
Chief Bandmaster Artie Shaw and his all-Navy swing band entertain some fighting Marines at a South Pacific base. For some of the Marines it was their first professional flesh-and-blood entertainment since leaving the States
.New Zealand
August 19, 1943
Corp. O. Newcomb, Jr.
OPEN MOUTHED: are these Marine singers as they render "The Star Spangled Banner" with comedian Joe E. Brown at the conclusion of his entertainment.
Pukekohe, New Zealand
Sept. 1943
Sgt. Rex R. Robbins
Camp McKay, home of the Second Marine Reg., boasts two large recreation halls, one located near regimental hdqtrs. in the Hdqtrs. & Service area, the other in the Field Bn. area. The recreation halls have seating capacities for 750 men and make comfortable ballrooms for regimental and company dances. Movies are shown at each hall every night.
McKay's Crossing, N.Z.
Oct. 1, 1943
Sgt. Ernest Diet
SWINGING OUT to Leatherneck music at a dance in a Marine camp somewhere in the Casper, Wyo. son of Mr.&Mrs. John E. Davis 65l West 80th St. Los Angeles, Calif. enjoys one of the 50 pretty dancing partners brought to the recreation hall by a group of friendly neighbors.
New Zealand
Apr. 1943
Pfc. Walter Page
Marinesnz.com is the website of The Kāpiti US Marines Trust and part of a major project to collect, preserve and promote World War II US Armed Forces history from 1942-1944 in the Kāpiti district, north of the capital city Wellington, New Zealand. While our focus is the history surrounding Camps Russell, MacKay and Paekākāriki’ we also have an interest in Marines camps in other parts of the Wellington region and in the social history and friendships between Kiwis and Americans during this brief but all-important encounter.
Contact Info
KUSMT 1 Grange Park Avenue Raumati South, Paraparaumu 5032 New Zealand
Email: info@marinesnz.com
Quick Links
Copyright 2023 Kapiti US Marines Trust