THE HOME GUARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 88, 24 January 1942, Page 4

THE HOME GUARD.

WEEK’S TRAINING ACTIVITIES ASHBURTON COUNTY UNITS. Instruction for Home Guard units was given in centres throughout the County this week, and the work done is summarised below: Mayfield—A full day parade was held on the Staveley riflle range, the troops being transported by L. of C. Units. The attendance was excellent, five lorries being required. Grouping practice was carried out after which the sections under their leaders engaged in field work, embracing distance judging, outposts and section stalks. The final period was occupied in grenade throwing and wiring. A most useful day was spent, a fine spirit of keenness being evident among the men, who were away from home for 12 hours.

Carew—An emergency parade was arranged on Saturday last, the men assembling in good time. Range practice and grenade throwing were carried out before heavy rain set in. The Unit held its re-union the same evening, when the Group Director (Lt.-Col. E. A. Cockroft) was present. A short toast list, interspersed with musical items and stunts was gone through and a pleasant evening was spent. Rakaia-—A range practice, using .22 ammunition was carried out on the Rakaia Miniature Rifle Range. Mount Somers—Further practice was held on the Mount Somers range whilst platoon drill and distance judging were also undertaken. Winchmore All members present were put through a J.O.E.T. in preparation for a range practice.

Ashburton —Training carried out included demonstration of patrols and instruction in fieldcraft. The Petrol Guards Platoon were instructed in grenade throwing and mechanism. Rokeby— Bayonet fighting instruction was given followed by a lecture on minor tactics.

Lagmhor.—An emergency call was responded to in a very satisfactory manner, many members leaving their harvesting operations to attend. Training carried out covered musketry and Tommy gun instruction, defence and reconnaissance patrol work. Pendarves —Instruction was given in musketry and bayonet fighting, followed by a lecture on minor tactics. Mead —The mechanism of the hand grenade was explained, and throwing practised. Semaphore signalling, distance judging, recognition and indication of targets and training in fire and movement were also carried out. Chertsey Bayonet instruction was carried out, and a lecture on tactics was given by the Unit Commander.

Loweliffe —A range practice was conducted at Loweliffe by Group Sergeant Major W. G. Corbett. Grouping and application practices, using the Service rifle, were fired and the remaining rifles were “zeroed." Fairton —A period was spent in musketry instruction and the unit was reorganised. Longbeach—Owing to rain, no work could be held outside, but a lecture was given by C.S.M. Lill, on minor tactics.

Lismore. —The mechanism and capabilities of the Thompson sub-machine gun were explained by the Group Ser. geant-Major and a demonstration with live ammunition followed. Bayonet fighting instruction was also given, MEN RECEIVING TRAINING “Major E. H. Orr, Officer Commanding the Ashburton Battalion left yesterday for a special 7-day course at a military camp. Other members of the Home Guard who have left for a 9-day course in weapon training and minor tactics are: —Lieuts. G. Welsh, D. H. Moore, (Ashburton), D. J. McDonald (Hinds), Mr J. M. Arnold (Lagmhor), Sergeant F. W. Jewell and Corporal W. Grieve (Methven), Sergeant R. L. Wilson (Winchmore), Corporals A. Sutherland, A. Fergus, F. Kennedy, N. C. Jones and H. D. Cameron (Ashburton), W. J. Hollow (Willowby), A. W. Wright (Staveley), R. Fleet (Chertsey).