


More Good People
My ship was berthed in Bluff the most southerly port in New Zealand awaiting it's return to England via Cape Horn.
It was the morning of Christmas Eve and I woke up with a violent toothache. There was no ship’s doctor and after trying several remedies from the dispensary I was told to catch a bus to Invercargill, about twenty miles away to get my tooth extracted. I eventually found myself visiting various dental offices around the town, only to discover that all had closed for the Christmas festivities.
A final try on the second floor of an office block in the centre of town caught the receptionist as she was about to leave, and as I was pressing her for names of other dentists that may be open, I was approached by a man in the waiting room.
“Are you from the ship in Bluff?”
“Yes, the “Wiltshire” and I’m trying to get a tooth pulled.”
“If you come with me my dentist will see to it right now”
Expecting to be taken to another clinic they arrived at the dentist's house, and he had a look.
Yes it needs to be extracted
We got back into the car and drove him to his clinic, which was also closed
I could not believe my luck and within the hour my bad tooth was out
I took out my wallet to pay but the dentist refused, and we drove him back home.
The man offered to take me back to the ship, "No I'll take the bus you've done so much for me already".
Better still It’s Christmas Eve, we are having a family get together” Join us.
“I couldn’t intrude, it wouldn’t be right. Especially on this particular night.”
“Nonsense. I’ll drive you back to the ship afterwards, it’s not far from where I live.”
They soon made me feel at home, and just the mere act of sitting around a family table again brought back vivid memories of home. A lady played the piano, and everyone sang Christmas carols. A most memorable evening.
The car journey back to the ship at midnight seemed only minutes, and the contrast between the start and finish to the day was unbelievable, thanks to this man and his wonderful family.
Just another example of the many spontaneous incidents I experienced during my travels around the world during World War 2.