IN THE FORCES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 38, 25 November 1940, Page 4

IN THE FORCES.

ENLISTMENT IN AFRICA. THREE ASHBURTON MEN. Throe ex-Ashburton hoys, at legist, are serving in the South African Forces. They are Gunner D. C. Cowan (South African Heavy Artillery), Trooper Douglas Moodie (South African Mounted) and Corporal Dervek (“Dick”) Constable (Provost), writes a South African correspondent of the “Guardian.”

Gunner. Cowan, \vhose father was formerly stationmaster as Ashburton, and whose mother resides in Wills Street, Ashburton, is alrehdy “somewhere in North Africa.” Cowan is an ex-pupil of the Ashburton High School. He played Rugby for Ashburton Old Boys, and at one time worked in the Bank of New Zealand, Ashburton, and afterwards for the National Mortgage and Agency Company. Prior to enlisting he was a resident for over two years at Tzaneen, Northern Transvaal. Trooper Moodie, whoso mother, Mrs Moodie, lives in Chalmers Avenue, Ashburton, is on the mechanical staff of the “Rand Daily Mail” and “Sunday Times.” At the present moment he is in camp at Ladysmith, Natal, scene of the historic siege in the Anglo-Boer War. Our correspondent writes that those, who knew Moodie in his early days when he was an apprentice with Higgins and Company, would scarcely know him now. He scales well over 2001bs, and on his last visit to Johannesburg looked in the pink of condition.

Corporal Constable is a son of Mrs M. A. Constable, of Ashburton East. Prior to enlisting he was engaged with the South African Broadcasting Corporation as programme organiser. At the time of writing, our correspondent adds, he is in camp at Oudtshoorn, Cape Province. It is interesting to note that soon after the outbreak of war, a public meeting was held of Australians and New Zealanders resident in Johannesburg with the idea of forming an Anzac Company. But i» is a shade unfortunate that a number of New Zealanders enlisted in other South African units and so were unable to be recorded as members of the Anzac Company of the Imperial Light Horse. Mr H. J. Constable, formerly Editor of the “Ashburton Guardian,” and now Advertisement Manager of the “Rand Daily Mail” and “Sunday Times”, and Honorary Agent in Johannesburg for the New Zealand Government, was present at the initial meeting, and'is a member of the. Anz&c Recruiting Committee. This Committee is now interesting itself particularly in comforts for the Anzac Company and other New Zealanders and Australians in the South African Forces. Among its members is Lieutenant H. 0. McEwen, formerly of Dunedin. Other members are Mr Moss Moses, ono of the best known trainers in South Africa. He was born at Hokitika and used to ride, in the stable of the Hon. J. D. Ormond, and Mr Hector Simson, whose family were prominent residents in the Hawke’s Bay district. If any old friends desire to communicate with Gunner Cowan, Trooper Moodio or Corporal Constable, they may do so C/o Mr H. J. Constable, P. 6. Box 1909, Johannesburg.