THE HOME GUARD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 45, 3 December 1940, Page 6

THE HOME GUARD

YOUNG MEN SHOULD JOIN.

VALUABLE MILITARY TRAINING.

AREA COMMANDER’S APPEAL.

An appeal to young men between the ages of 16 and 25 years in the Borough of Ashburton to join the Home Guard was made this morning by the Area Commander for the Guard (Captain E. A. Cockroft), speaking to a. “Guarddian” reporter. “Enrolments are steadily increasing in the County,” said Captain Cockroft, “and in country districts where meetings have not already been held the desire lias been expressed that an attempt be made to establish a unit in these localities.'

“In Ashburton the peak of enrolments has not been reached. Middleaged men have come forward in fair numbers, but there has been a notable absence of men between the ages of 16 and 25.” Captain Cockroft pointed out that young men eligible for Territorial or overseas ballots were urged to join the Guard till they were called up, when they would resign from the organisation. “It is to be hoped that these young men will join,” concluded Captain Cockroft, “for they will receive the elements of military training.” Captain Cockroft estimated that roughly about 645 persons bad joined the Guard in the County. His figures were: Ashburton 198, Staveley 45, Mt. Somers 20, Mayfield 50, Winchmore 15, Lagmlior 15, Eiffelton 40, Rakaia 40, Public Works Camp (Carew) 26, Hinds 20, Methven 150, Lyndhurst 26. Many of these figures would have been increased, he stated.

ACTIVITIES AT LYNDHURST

28 ENROLMENTS LAST NIGHT. Though the Lyndhurst district is attached to the Methven area fojr the purposes of the organisation of the Home Guard and the district lias repiesentation on the Metlivien Home Guard Committee, there were no fewer than 28 new enrolments at a public meeting held in the Lyndhuist Hall last (evening, when Mr C. C. Winn presided over a large attendance Mr Winn explained that the district had throe representatives (Messrs A. O. Gadd, R. Dunkley and himself) and the meeting agreed that this arrangement should he retained, except that for the purposes of administration of the Lyndhurst company, Messrs J. McKenclry and R-. Pearce should be added to the committee.

The County Chairman (Mr S. P. Taylor), the County Clerk (Mr G. Kelly) and the Area Commander of the Home Guard (Captain E. A. Cockroft) addressed the meeting, at the conclusion of which the first two/ speakers referred to the provisions of the regulations governing, the collection, control and expenditure of patriotic funds. The visitors were thanked for their attendance.