The Seven Coast Watchers from New Zealand

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Source: Gillespie, Oliver A., The Pacific, War History Branch, Dept of Internal Affairs, Wellington, NZ, 1952, p 233; letters from Kevin Menzies.


The islands described herein [Gilbert Islands] are now known as the nation of Kiribati. An excellent reference is the book, "Conflict in Kiribati" by Peter McQuarrie, Univ of Christchurch, NZ. [caution -slow loading]

The seven Coast Watchers from New Zealand captured in the Makin Atoll were:
Captured on Bikati:
1. Michael Menzies, Pvt., NZEF, and his brother....
2. Jack M. Menzies, Pvt., NZEF
3. John M. Jones, a civilian Radio Operator

Captured on Little Makin (Makin Miang):
4. Pvt. Basil (Pat) Were
5. Pvt. L.E.H. Muller
6. Cpl. M.P. McQuinn- actually a civilian but retroactively made Army Corporals to prevent execution as a spy.

Captured on Abaiang:
7. Cpl. Sydney R. Wallace- also a civilian but retroactively made Army Corporals to prevent execution as a spy.

Captured in the village of Butaritari: (Not a Coast Watcher)
8. Charles Fulford-Williams, Civil Administrator

American Captured in China:
9. RM1c Arthur H. Griffith, USN, American Consulate, Tsingtao - [treated as a Diplomat and exchanged on the first POW exchange, June 1942, SS Gripsholm.]

The Coast Watchers and Fulford-Williams were held in a tin shed at On Chongs wharf on Butaritari until transferred aboard a Japanese minesweeper to Juliet Island on 27 Dec 1942. From Juliet Island, the men were sent to Yokohama in hold of the Yamagiri Maru.

Kevin Menzies, son of Michael Menzies, Pvt., NZEF, stated in letter of 9 June 2000:
        "My father was captured [as a Soldier/Coast Watcher in the Gilbert Islands] on the islet of Bikati, the northern tip of the Makin Atoll, on 10 Dec 1941 and [later] began his incarceration in the University of Life at Zentsuji. He and his comrades, including his brother Jack M. Menzies, were among the first Allied prisoners in Japan, arriving in Yokohama on 7 Jan 1942. The American Marine from Tsingtao [Griffiths] joined them on 10 Jan 1942. When he would talk about [his experiences], (not often) he would tell of how he was in Zentsuji when in the middle of the night he was [wakened] by the Marines from Guam entering the camp. From then on, Dad built up strong bonds with these men which never left him. He told me, not long before his death, that often at night he lay awake and pictured all of their faces."