CENTENNIAL OF REGIMENT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28840, 10 March 1959, Page 8

CENTENNIAL OF REGIMENT

General Weir Attends Battalion Parade (New Zeaiana Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 8. The colours of two of New Zealand’s oldest regiments were carried side by side—probably for the last time—at Three Kings’ Camp, Waiouru, yesterday. The occasion Was the centennial ceremonial parade of the Wellington West Coast-Taranaki Regiment—the only New Zealand unit that can trace its history back 100 years. The colours on parade were those of the old Wellington West Coast Regiment and the Taranaki Regiment, which were amalgamated in 1948 to form the present formation.

At 9 a.m. the Ist Battalion marched on to the parade ground to the tune of pipes and drums playing a march specially composed to mark the centennial. The troops were then reviewed and inspected by the Chief of the General Staff (Major-General C. E. Weir). Others on parade were the commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade (Brigadier D. S. Thomson), the commanding officer of the regiment (LieutenantColonel A. Castelli) and the honorary colonel, LieutenantColonel G. N. Armstrong). After the ceremonial parade there was an official reception at the Waiouru officers’ mess. Other units of the brigade continued training throughout the day. Shortly after the celebrations Major-General Weir left by air for Fiji, where he will inspect defence installations.