ARMY DISCHARGES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 267, 22 August 1945, Page 2

ARMY DISCHARGES.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARRANGEMENTS. SIXTEENTH REINFORCEMENTS (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 21. Demobilisation of the 16th Reinforcements of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, which was on leave from Burnham and Trentham training camps when victory was announced, is proceeding swiftly. The official announcement of priorities of release suggested some delays in demobilisation; but the carrying out of the orders indicates that, except for selected personnel to fill camp replacements and soldiers electing to continue service with the Army, the demobilisation will be promptly carried out.

About 1100 men of the 16th Reinforcements were in Burnham Camp when victory was announced, and a large number of South Island men were in training at Trentham. When the soldiers not required for further duties are demobilised, they will be given a medical boarding and marched out for 14 days’ leave, with pay and allowances, before they are discharged. There is nothing to prevent soldiers who are not selected for further duties from resuming their normal occupations to-day so long as they attended for marching out at the places stated in their orders, it was explained yesterday at the headquarters of the Southern Military District. The-draft in training at Burnham is now on leave, which was to expire at the end of this week. Men in the North Canterbury area have received telegrams instructing them to return to Burnham for demobilisation or retention. Men in other areas in the Southern Military District are receiving telegrams telling them not to return to Burnham but to await instructions from the Army Department in their own residential areas. North Canterbury m,en in training at Trentham have been instructed to go to Burnham for demobilisation or retention, and Trentham trainees from other areas in the South Island, who will not be further required, will report in their areas. Rolls of personnel will he received in the various areas, in which the officers will arrange for early medical boards so that reinforcement men not required will be released early. When the men went on leave, they left behind them in their kit bags articles not immediately required which, following Army procedure, were placed under lock and key at Burnham and Trentham. So that men not near to Burnham will not be required to parade back to collect their kits and'account for gear to be handed back, a system has been worked out by which they will receive their personal possessions and also account for Army property.