My Service in Asia - Hiro

Hiro camp April 1951

The double window at the corner on the second floor is my room in sergeant's quarters.

I learned from a friend named Kazuo-san that the bridge seen in the background is called Benten Bashi. I actually took this picture to show how they shape their trees for beauty.

I took this pix while standing on Benten Bashi showing that the river is dependent on the tide.

Flood tide.

The narrow main street of Hiro.

An old temple Tori or gateway to a temple usually at the top of many stairs.

One day as I was returning to Hiro Camp, I pulled over and snapped this picture of an oxen pulling a "honey Cart". Don't really know where the term came from but if one of the lids is ajar and the liquid seeps out you soon get the idea?

Sewers are not available in Japanese villages. The sewage (human) is dropped through a hole in the floor of the toilet and collected in a receptacle below. Farmers bid for this waste material as it is used to fertilize their crops. The oxen in this case seems to be pulling a heavy load so the farmer has a nice supply for his crops.

This is Capt. Shaw BEM Commanding Officer of 1st Canadian Base Signals Troop.

Jack MacIntosh and I in front of our Office in Hiro.

Signals head office, Hiro Camp Japan. With one of my jeeps where I was IC.

Just a mere 200 feet from the main gate of Hiro Camp these two buildings were taken over by an Australian Major and turned in to a place for beer drinkers and the next building was a house of ill repute. Both establishments were run by Japanese ladies.

The drill was to take a blanket to the Beer hall, sell it, buy beer and then visit next door. Quite a thriving enterprise!

One day to our pleasant surprise a truck load of Canadian beer arrived compliments of some Canadian brewer. I'm embarrassed to say I forget which brewer it was. Every one in the camp received two cans. I know it was Eastern Beer though and the day was a hot one. Oh, I forgot to mention, this was a publicity pose as we never drink on duty!

Christmas at Hiro Camp drinking Asahi Beer.

Damned good rice beer.

Local taxi. There was a sizeable hill between Hiro and Kure. These machines would chug and chug to make it to the apex and as soon as the slope down appeared it was motor off and free-wheel all the way down the other side. I swear ex Kamikaze pilots drove these things as it appeared so life threatening with the speeds attained.