LONG CONVOY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 43, 1 December 1941, Page 4

LONG CONVOY.

HOME GUARD PARADE YESTERDAY.

INSTRUCTION ON THE COAST In the longest convoy the Ashburton Lines of Communication Company has undertaken since its formation under the direction of Captain H. R. D. Porter, members of the Ashburton Company of the Home Guard went to Wakanui beach yesterday morning for a whole day parade. The men assembled at the Drill Hall at 9.30 o’clock and after taking part in a church parade conducted by the Rev. ,W. N. Flett, took up positions in the lorries supplied by the L. of C. Company. About 30 vehicles were in use and these proceeded to the beach via Burnett aiid East Streets and Beach Road.

At Wakanui they were joined by members of the Fairton unit, who were in charge of Mr P. J. Mowat. The Ashburton Company was directed by its Commander (Mr N. Robilliard), and other officers who attended were the Group Director (LieutenantColonel E. A. Cockroft), the Assistant Director (Mr H. G. Kemp), the Officer Commanding the Ashburton Battalion (Major E. H. Orr), the second in command (Mr J. B. Pearson) and the Group Adjutant (Captain E. C. D. Withell, N.Z.T.S.) A lecture on camouflage from sight and fire and the use of natural cover and artificial aids for protection for individuals and units was given by Mr G. McCrostie (commander of No. 1 Platoon), who later conducted the Guardsmen over a wide area of ground where snipers were, in hiding.

Semaphore signalling, judging by distances and the location of targets, plain and camouflaged was also undertaken during the day, and in the meantime the L. of C. Company took part in convoy training. The Guardsmen were brought back to Ashburton at 4.15 after a very instructive day in pleasant conditions.