72644 Private Charles Robert Adamson, 1917(?)-17/2/1944.

There is no such place as "Ceiot Island," as inscribed on Charles Adamson's memorial stone. "Celot Island" also does not exist. It was a search for references to Charles Adamson's unit, the 14th Brigade (2NZEF) Defence Platoon, formed to defend Brigade HQ, that led me to a report on the action in which Charles met his end.

Charles' unit was on Sirot Island, a small one of the Solomon Islands, part of the Bouganville region of Papua New Guinea.  It was used by the Japanese forces as a staging post where supply barges from Rabaul for the Bouganville garrison were sheltered by day between stages of travel at night.

The American Admiral "Bull" Halsey made the decision to take Sirot and the neighbouring small islands.  The attack could be supported from the air and when successful would cut off the Japanese at Bouganville and provide land where the Allies could build a base for motor torpedo boats and an airfield.  The Brigade History tells the story:

At Sirot on 17 February 1944 Corporal Davidson was a member of the 14th Bde Def Platoon which was part of a force carrying out a reconnaissance of the island. While patrolling towards the north-western coast the platoon made contact with a party of 16 of the enemy, who suddenly opened fire with grenades and a machine gun at a range of 30 yards. With complete disregard for his own safety Corporal Davidson rushed the position, killed seven of the enemy and put the gun out of action. The remainder of the force were thus enabled to go forward and destroy the remaining enemy without further loss to themselves. Corporal Davidson himself continued to assist with great gallantry in the mopping up. The conduct of Corporal Davidson throughout the operation was an inspiration to his comrades and is deserving of the highest praise.  - 8th and 14th Brigades, Official History.

A different volume of the "Official History" contains a more detailed account of the small engagement.  A small one in the course of the War, but a large event for the Adamson family of Ravensbourne, Dunedin.

Late on the afternoon of the second day, natives reported that an unspecified number of Japanese had taken refuge on the densely wooded island of Sirot, and the task of clearing the island was assigned to B Company, 30 Battalion, commanded by Captain D. Dalton. Since such skirmishes could never be taken lightly in the jungle, his unit was strengthened by the addition of No. 1 Platoon of the Machine Gun Company under Lieutenant E. H. Ryan, 14 Brigade Defence and Employment Platoon under Lieutenant E. G. Tayor, and 4 Field Secrutiry Section under Captain D. Lawford.

This small expedition landed on the island the following morning after a seven-minute barrage by 144 Independent Battery, and patrols moved into the jungle on a front of 100 yards from a native village, intending to sweep the whole area. Taylor's platoon, on the left flank, soon made contact with the Japanese and took the brunt of the fighting in a sharp engagement fought out among the trees, vines, and undergrowth so thick that it was impossible to pinpoint the enemy or even estimate his strength. Corporal P. A. Davidson (his second name was Anzac), leader of Taylor's No. 1 section, first engaged the Japanese among the undergrowth and shot two of them, though not before his Bren gunner, Lance-Corporal C. Reid, had been killed as he dashed forward the better to site his gun. Both groups went to earth, firing only when, from behind the protection of tree trunks, movement among leaves and branches revealed their positions to each other. For the next two hours Taylor's men pressed slowly round the Japanese, who had secured themselves to resist such an attack. Taylor himself, while engaged in a brief duel, was shot in the boot, but killed the Japanese who had shot Private I. N. Tolich. When a Bren gun jammed, the leader of the enemy detachment leaned from behind a tree, shot the gunner, and hurled a grenade which wounded two of Taylor's men. Davidson, who had moved forward to rising ground, acted swiftly, killed the Japanese, destroyed the machine gun with a grenade, and then accounted for another of his opponents. His Distinguished Conduct Medal was well merited. Taylor lost five men killed and three wounded, but his platoon had accounted for fifteen Japanese.  -The Pacific, 2NZEF Official History.

Davidson was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

DEATHS.

For the Empire's Cause.

ADAMSON — Pte. Charles Robert, dearly loved only son of Walter and Annie Adamson, Hill street, Ravensbourne, killed in action somewhere in the Pacific; aged 27 years. "His duty nobly done."

Charles was buried in the Bourail NZ War Cemetery on New Caledonia.

Bourail NZ War Cemetery.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.